Related Experiment Videos
Flexible posterior mitral annuloplasty: five-year clinical and Doppler echocardiographic results
L F Camilleri1, B Miguel, P Bailly
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Gabriel Montpied University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Background:
Stabilization of the posterior annulus seems to be a critical factor to achieve a stable mitral valve repair. To assess the benefit of softer mural annuloplasty, we analyzed results obtained with the flexible linear reducer.
Methods:
From 1985 to 1993, 120 patients, with pure mitral regurgitation, mainly degenerative, had a mitral reconstruction. Mean age was 64+/-11 years and 74% of the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV.
Results:
Hospital mortality was 3.3%. Mean follow-up was 56+/-24 months. There were 23 late deaths; 10 valve-related including 7 sudden deaths. Two patients (1.7%) required a reoperation. Doppler echocardiographic studies revealed excellent valve function; 5-year freedom from significant regurgitation was 85.8%+/-5.4%. Mean mitral valve area was 2.76+/-0.77 cm2. Although 105 patients were in class I or II, 23 patients were not functionally improved. Previous myocardial infarction and shorter deceleration time of early filling were risk factors for worsening functional disability.
Conclusions:
This support provides stable repair with excellent clinical and echographic results. Previous myocardial infarction and noncompliant left ventricle negatively influence outcome.