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Clinical study of mitral valve repair: short-term and long-term outcomes
1Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Birmingham, Ala. 35213, USA.
Background:
In recent years, mitral valve reconstructive techniques have become an increasingly preferential alternative to replacement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term and long-term outcomes associated with mitral valve repair.
Methods:
This study involved 99 patients who had mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation from January 1990 to June 1996. Short-term and long-term outcomes evaluated included mortality, clinical complications, readmissions, valve deterioration, reoperation, thromboembolism, endocarditis, functional heart class, and health perception.
Results:
Overall mortality was 18%, which included 11 operative deaths and 7 late deaths. Ischemic valve disease and NYHA class III and IV were significant predictors of early and late mortality. Overall 5-year survival was 79%. Freedom from all valve-related morbid events was 90% at 5 years.
Conclusions:
Functional heart class and etiology of valve disease are the most important indicators of overall survival and morbidity. Transesophageal echocardiography should be used to evaluate the adequacy of repair.