Reoperations after valvular heart surgery: indications and late results

The incidence of reoperations after valvular heart surgery was higher after valve-preserving procedures and after valve replacement with biological prostheses than after implantation of mechanical prostheses. The indication for reoperation was elective in the vast majority of cases; usually it was due to progressive late deterioration of repaired valves or of tissue valves. Symptoms are not a sensitive indicator in timing the reintervention. Progression of clinical signs, radiological and ECG alterations and echocardiographic criteria must be followed closely once late deterioration has been diagnosed. Criteria for reoperation are basically the same as for primary valve surgery. Hemolytic anemia and recurrent emboli were rare indications for reoperation in the presented material. Paravalvular leak was the most frequent indication for reoperation following the implantation of mechanical heart valve prostheses. A number of valve-related complications requiring emergency reoperations are presented; immediate recognition of these conditons and immediat intervention are mandatory. Bacterial endocarditis remains a severe complication after valvular heart surgery and threatens patients with mechanical prostheses in particular. The late results of reoperations depend mainly upon the state of disease reached by the time of reintervention, i.e., upon the right timing of the reoperation.