Prognostic Role of Preoperative Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) in Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR) for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis Patients

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion has been proposed as a simple and reproducible parameter for quantitative assessment of the right ventricular ejection fraction. The prognostic importance of preoperative TAPSE in patients with mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral stenosis patients is still under focused. Therefore, the objective of the study was to predict the outcome after MVR in rheumatic mitral stenosis patients in relation to preoperative TAPSE. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute. A total of 72 patients of rheumatic mitral stenosis patients who underwent mitral valve replacement were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: Group A and B. Group A included 36 patients with TAPSE 0.05) except for the preoperative TAPSE. Mean TAPSE of Group A was 13.17 (±1.40) and Group B was 18.61 (±1.57), the difference was statistically significant (p 0.05). Among the postoperative complications, including postoperative atrial fibrillation was higher in Group A (30.56%) than Group B (11.11%), mean ventilation time was higher in Group A (27.78%) than Group B (5.56%), length of intensive care was higher in Group A (33.33%) than Group B (11.12%), and hospital stay was higher in Group A (25.0%) than Group B (5.56%), (p < 0.05). Higher preoperative TASPE could be used as a prognostic tool for MVR in rheumatic mitral stenosis patients in our settings.

A novel case of transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement using Mi-thos^TM system

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement(TMVR)has become an alternative to surgical mitral valve replacement for the treatment of patients with severe mitral insufficiency(MI)who are at very high or prohibitive surgical risk.[1]Because of impaired left ventricular dysfunction and previous cardiac surgery,some aged patients with degenerated bioprosthetic mitral valve and mitral regurgitation were refused to redo surgery.[2]Increasing demand are required for minimally invasive treatment of these patients.Hundreds of patients worldwide have been treated with a transcatheter mitral valve-in-ring or valve-in-valve procedure using transcatheter aortic valve.[3]However,rare case of transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve/ring replacement using transcatheter mitral valve system was reported.Here,we reported a successfully case of transcatheter mitral“valve-in-valve”replacement for the treatment of bioprosthetic mitral valve degeneration and severe regurgitation with domestic Mithos^TM valve.

Echocardiographic Monitoring of Cardiac Parameters after Mitral Valve Replacement with the Preservation of Subvalvular Structures

To date many monitoring techniques have been used to determine the efficacy of surgical correction of mitral valve disease. The most common non-invasive method in use is echocardiography which can assess the myocardial and mitral valve function changes after mitral valve replacement procedures. In this study, we investigated the five-year follow-up echocardiographic results of 143 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with preservation of subvalvular apparatus to analyze the recovery of myocardial and mitral valve functions.

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Index with Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Replacement: A Comparison between Determinations at the Mitral Valve and the Ascending Aorta

Methods: Sixteen patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists status (ASA) II-III, age ≤ 70 yr, male or female, preoperatively NYHA II-III and EF ≥ 45%, scheduled for mitral valve replacement (MVR) were studied. Complete intravenous general anesthesia was used for induction and anesthesia maintenance. After anesthesia induction we put the TEE probe into the esophagus. The cardiac index was determined at three periods following MVR: T1 30 minutes later following cessation of bypass, T2 60 minutes after cessation of bypass, T3 90 minutes after cessation of bypass. Statistical analysis was made with the Bland and Altman method. Results: Ninety-six measurements were compared. The cardiac index values at the level of prosthesis mitral valve (CIMV) ranged from 1.3 to 5.5 L·min-1·m-2 (mean 2.6 ± 0.9). The Values of cardiac index at aortic valve (CIAA) ranged from 2.7 to8.8 L·min-1·m-2 (mean 4.9 ± 1.7). Bias was -2.3 L·min-1·m-2 and limits of agreement -5.6 to 1.0 L·min-1·m-2. Conclusion: During mitral valve replacement, doubtful correlations were observed between values of cardiac index at the mitral valve and the ascending aorta using TEE.

Early Results of Mitral Valve Replacement in Severe Pulmonary Artery Hypertension—An Institutional Prospective Study

Introduction: In patients undergoing surgery for mitral valve replacement (MVR) for valvular heart disease, pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) has been considered a major risk factor. In this prospective study, we have studied the early hemodynamic changes and post-operative outcomes of MVR among patients with severe PAH. Methods: 68 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve replacement for severe rheumatic mitral valve disease with severe PAH (pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) > 50 mmHg) were studied prospectively for immediate postoperative hemodynamics and outcomes. The mean age of the patients was 32.1 years. 32 (47.05%) patients had mitral stenosis, 13 (19.11%) had mitral regurgitation and 23 (33.82%) had mixed lesions. Patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative pulmonary artery pressures. In 56 patients (82.35%, group I) PAP was sub-systemic or systemic, with a mean of 58.4 mmHg. Twelve patients (17.65%, group II) had supra-systemic PAP with a mean of 82.4 mmHg. Results: After mitral valve replacement, the PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased significantly in group I to near normal levels. In group II also the PAP and PVR decreased significantly but significant residual PAH remained. Operative mortality was 3.5% in group I and 16.6% in group II. Conclusions: MVR is safe and effective at the presence of severe PAH as long as the PAP is below or equal to systemic pressures. With suprasystemic PAP, MVR carries a high risk of mortality and the patient continues to have severe PAH in the postoperative period.

Impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch on early and late outcomes after mitral valve replacement:a meta-analysis

Background Prognostic significance of prosthesis-patient mismatch(PPM)after mitral valve replacement(MVR)remains uncertain because of the limited studies reporting inconsistent or even contrary results.This meta-analysis pooled results of all available studies comparing early and late prognoses between patients with significant mitral PPM and those without.Methods Studies were identified by searching Pubmed,Excerpta Medica Database,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,and Clinical Trials.gov.Impact of PPM on postoperative hemodynamic results,thirty-day mortality,overall mortality,mortality of thirty-day survivors,and primary morbidity after MVR was evaluated via meta-analysis.Robustness of pooled estimates,source of heterogeneity,and publication bias were assessed via sensitivity analyses,meta-regression as well as subgroup analysis stratified according to methodological or clinical heterogeneity,or sequential omission method,and funnel plot or Begg's and Egger's tests,respectively.Results Nineteen cohort studies involving 9302 individuals(PPM group:n=5109,Control group:n=4193)were included for meta-analysis.Total PPM and severe PPM prevalence were 3.8%–85.9%and 1%–27%,with a mean value of 54.9%and 14.1%,respectively.As compared with control group,mitral PPM group demonstrated a poorer postoperative hemodynamic status of higher mean and peak residual transprosthetic pressure gradients(TPG),higher postoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure(SPAP)and less reduction,higher postoperative pulmonary hypertension(PH)prevalence and less PH regression,smaller net atrioventricular compliance,less NYHA class decrease,higher postoperative functional tricuspid regurgitation prevalence and less regression.The PPM group also revealed a higher thirty-day mortality,long-term overall mortality,mortality of thirty-day survivors,and postoperative congestive heart failure prevalence,which were positively correlated with the severity of PPM if it was classified into tri-level subgroups.Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,postoperative atrial fibrillation(AF)prevalence,and the AF regression were analogous between groups.Most pooled estimates were robust according to sensitivity analyses.Male patients and bioprosthesis implantation proportion were prominent source of between-study heterogeneity on thirty-day mortality.Publication bias was not significant in tests for all the outcomes,except for SPAP and TPG.Conclusions Mitral PPM would result in poorer postoperative hemodynamics and worse early and late prognosis.Severe PPM must be avoided since deleterious impact of mitral PPM was severity dependent.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy complicating transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement

A 73-year-old female presented with symp-tomatic heart failure(NYHA class Ⅲ)due to a failed 29-mm Sorin(St.Jude Medical,St.Paul,MN)bioprosthetic heart valve surgically implanted 10-year before for severe primary mitral valve regurgitation(flail of the anterior mitral leaf-let at A2 scallop).Preprocedural echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular function with severe bioprosthetic valve stenosis and concomit-ant moderate regurgitation(Video 1 in Supplement).Because of prohibitive surgical risk,a transeptal mitral valve-in-valve(ViV)replacement was planned.

Successful Tavi in Patients with Previous Mitral Valve Replacement

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new method for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high surgical risk, such as previous cardiac surgery. The presence of mechanical mitral prosthesis might complicate TAVI because of possible interference between both prostheses. Some reports have already demonstrated the feasibility of TAVI in such patients. Case Reports: We report 2 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who had prior mitral valve replacement that successfully underwent TAVI with Edwards Sapien and CoreValve aortic prosthesis, re- spectively. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was useful for the assessment of the distance between both aor- tic and mitral prosthesis annuli. Transesophageal echocardiography was crucial for precise positioning of TAV. There were no special technical tips besides precise positioning of the valve prosthesis. In case of Core Valve the goal was the positioning at “zero point” and in case of Edwards Sapien valve a “half-on-half” position according to natural aortic valve. We observed no deformation or dysfunction of aortic and mitral prosthesis in any of the patients. Balloon valvu- loplasty prior to implantation helps to observe the mutual effect of the new aortic valve and pre-existent mitral prosthe- sis. Conclusions: We conclude that TAVI can be safely and successfully performed in patients with mechanical mitral prosthesis carefully considering the altered anatomical conditions. Skillfulness and TAVI experience of the operators should not be neglected.

Importance of concomitant functional mitral regurgitation on survival in severe aortic stenosis patients undergoing aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND Mitral regurgitation(MR)is commonly seen in patients with severe aortic stenosis(AS)undergoing aortic valve replacement(AVR).But the long-term implications of MR in AS are unknown.AIM To investigate MR’s impact on survival of patients undergoing surgical AVR for severe AS.METHODS Of the 740 consecutive patients with severe AS evaluated between 1993 and 2003,287 underwent AVR forming the study cohort.They were followed up to death or till the end of 2019.Chart reviews were performed for clinical,echocardiographic,and therapeutic data.MR was graded on a 1-4 scale.Mortality data was obtained from chart review and the Social Security Death Index.Survival was analyzed as a function of degree of MR.RESULTS The mean age of the severe AS patients who had AVR(n=287)was 72±13 years,46%women.Over up to 26 years of follow up,there were 201(70%)deaths,giving deep insights into the determinants of survival of severe AS who had AVR.The 5,10 and 20 years survival rates were 75%,45%and 25%respectively.Presence of MR was associated with higher mortality in a graded fashion(P=0.0003).MR was significantly associated with lower left ventricular(LV)ejection fraction and larger LV size.Impact of MR on mortality was partially mediated through lower LV ejection fraction and larger LV size.By Cox regression,MR,lower ejection fraction(EF)and larger LV end-systolic dimension were independent predictors of higher mortality(χ^(2)=33.2).CONCLUSION Presence of greater than 2+MR in patients with severe AS is independently associated with reduced survival in surgically managed patients,an effect incremental to reduced EF and larger LV size.We suggest that aortic valve intervention should be considered in severe AS patients when>2+MR occurs irrespective of EF or symptoms.

The Optimal Suture Technique for Mitral Valve Replacement in an <i>Ex Vivo</i>Animal Model

Objective: This study compared and evaluated three suture methods in order to find the method with the best durability for mitral valve replacement. The methods evaluated are horizontal mattress suture with subanular pledgets, horizontal mattress suture with supraanular pledgets and continuous running suture. Methods: Thirty hearts were explanted from newly terminated pigs. The hearts were randomized in the three groups. After an atriotomy, the mitral valve was cut out, and a patch was sutured into its place. An air pump model was connected to a balloon which was placed in the left ventricle through aorta and continuously filled with air to a maximum of 300 mmHg. The peak pressure at rupture was noted. If no rupture occurred before reaching 300 mmHg, the suture was found competent. Results: Two out of ten hearts in the continuous running suture-group had myocardial rupture within a pressure of 300 mmHg. In the remaining eight hearts there were no ruptures within 300 mmHg. In the two groups sutured with horizontal mattress with pledgets placed either subanular or supraanular, no rupture of myocardium occurred. When comparing continuous running suture with the horizontal mattress with subanular pledgets or the horizontal mattress with supraanular pledgets, the 1-sided Fishers’ exact was 0.237. At 5% significance level, there was no difference between the three suture methods. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between the durability of the three suture methods, though rupture was only evident in the continuous running suture line. Since it is the surgeon’s choice to select the optimal suture technique, our study should be a reminder for the surgeon to reflect on the suturing factors that have an influence on successful mitral valve replacement.

The Structural Impact of Aortic Valve Replacement on Mitral Regurgitation

Background: Structural changes to the mitral annulus occur following aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis which may influence functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods: A retrospective review of 44 patients who underwent open AVR for aortic stenosis at a single center from 2010-2013 was performed. Patients undergoing concomitant aortic root surgery or with severe MR were excluded. MR was evaluated with preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiograms. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess for factors associated with postoperative MR improvement and worsening. Results: Prior to AVR, none had severe MR, 5% (2 patients) had moderate, 9% (4 patients) mild-to-moderate, 46% (20 patients) mild, and 23% (9 patients) trace MR. Of patients with pre-operative MR, 44% (16 patients) experienced improvement of MR. Six patients had worsening of MR and the remaining 22 patients had no change. Cases of more severe MR were more likely to improve compared with mild or trace MR (P = 0.04). MR worsening was significantly more likely in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (83% vs. 24%;P = 0.004), and with larger aortic annulus diameters (P = 0.03). MR worsening was less frequent in cases of mitral annular calcification (0% vs 42%;P = 0.04) and left atrial enlargement (17% vs 65%;P = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis revealed negative predictors for MR improvement were mitral annular calcification (P = 0.04) and larger aortic annulus diastolic diameter (P = 0.05). Conclusion: Structural factors such as aortic annular size, mitral annular calcification and valve morphology may impact MR following AVR and should be investigated further as potential targets of surgical therapy.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic mitral valve replacement

To summarize the experience of mitral valve replacement (MVR) using video-assisted thoracoscope.Methods 28 cases of MVR were performed through three right anterior ports under thoracoscopy using femorofemoral extracorporeal circulation.The aorta was cross-clamped and the myocardium was protected by coronary perfusion with cold cardioplegic.33 patients underwent routine open approach MVR as control group.Results There was no death and no morbidity directly related to this approach.Comparing with control control gorup,time of extracorporeal circulation was 82～146 (96±38) min vs. 80～132(92±31) min,cross-clamped 37～76(47±18) min vs. 34～72(45±13) min and ventilation time were 8.6～14.8(10.2±3.1)h vs. 8.3～15.9(11.3±3.4)h.The volume of drainage was 50～230(72±28)ml in VATS group while 7～460(108±4.2)ml in control group (P<0.01),and hospital day were 8～12(10.1±2.2)d vs. 10～28(15.6±4.2)d (P<0.05).The pain in the VATS group was less postoperatively.Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic MVR is a safe and effective technique with less drainage,shortened hospital stay and minor postoperative pain.4 refs,1 tab.

Isolated mitral valve replacement with Guangdong-Ⅰ porcine bioprostheses in rheumatic heart valve disease: analysis of 166 cases with long-term follow-up

Objective To study the long-term effects of mitral valve replacement with bioprostheses in rheumatic heart valve disease. Methods 166 patients with rheumatic heart valve disease underwent isolated mitral valve replacement from Jan. 1978 to Dec. 1985. 79 Patients were male and 87 female. Patients’ age ranged from 11 to 53 years [mean (29.4 ± 9.9) years]. The patients were classified into two groups: group 1 (age【 30 years) included 84 patients, group 2 (age≥30 years) 82 cases. Mean CTR is 0.68 *0.08. Most patients were in NYHA function class Ⅲ-Ⅳ. 76. 3% of patients had atrial fibrillation. 6 patients had pre-operative cerebral vascular accidents. Postoperative deaths were excluded. Follow-up extended from 0.4 year to 19.4 years. Results Actuarial estimate of survival rate at 14 years is (52.5 ± 7.0)%. Heart function was improved to class Ⅰ - Ⅱ in most of patients. Late structural valve deterioration occurred in 89 patients. Among them, 59 were re-operated. Actuarial estimate of freedom from

Application of real-time 3d echocardiography in mitral valve repair for replacement of chordae tendineae

Objective To investigate the surgical technique and outcomes of replacement of chordae tendineae in mitral valve repair,and evaluate the value of real-time three-di-mensional transesophageal echocardiography in the perioperative period. Methods Thirty-one patients with mitral valve prolapse underwent mitral valve repair using chordae tendineae replacement concomitant with implantation

Chronic ischemic mitral valve regurgitation and surgical perspectives

Chronic ischemic mitral valve regurgitation is a result of disturbed left ventricular geometry secondary to myocardial ischemia in the absence of intrinsic mitral valve pathology. It is a common complication after myocardial infarction, and patients who have ischemic mitral regurgitation(IMR) have a worse prognosis compared to patients who have ischemic heart disease alone, and this is directly related to the severity of IMR. Medical therapy has limited efficacy, and surgical options including various repair techniques and valve replacement had been tried with variable success. Still there is intense debate among surgeons whether to interfere with moderate degree IMR at the time of coronary artery revascularization.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation in the case of pre-existing mitral prosthesis and pure aortic regurgitation: A case report

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is recommended in patients with severe aortic stenosis who have high surgical risk.However,in the pre-existing mechanical mitral valve prosthesis and natural pure aortic regurgitation,TAVR is relatively contraindicated.In this report,we described one case of TAVR with native aortic regurgitation in the presence of mechanical mitral valve prosthesis.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old man with a medical history of mitral valve replacement had severe dyspnea and was symptomatic even at rest for 3 mo.His echocardiography showed severe native pure aortic regurgitation.His euroscore was 15.A TAVR procedure with an evolut R was planned.A 34 mm evolut R was placed by transesophageal echocardiography.The mitral prosthesis was functioning normally,and mild-moderate paravalvular leakage was evident by transesophageal echocardiography.The patient recovered without any complication.At 1 mo follow up,the patient was well,and no paravalvular leakage was noted.CONCLUSION TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation in the presence of prosthetic mitral valve can be a safe procedure.

Mitral Valve Surgery for Functional Regurgitation: Insights into Heart Failure and Readmission

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is an increasing burden as population ages. Mitral valve repair (MVr) is the preferred surgical treatment of FMR despite limited evidence supporting its efficacy. Mitral valve replacement (MVR) is the alternative procedure typically reserved for patients who are at higher risk or refractory to MVr. The present study aims to determine which of the two procedures is more effective in the surgical treatment of FMR. Methods: 344 charts of FMR patients who received either MVr (n = 263) or MVR (n = 81) from 2004-2016 at our institution were reviewed. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on heart failure (HF)-readmission and survival rates within 5 years from discharge. Propensity score approach with inverse probability weighting and Cox regression models were employed to evaluate procedural impact on survival and rehospitalizations, respectively. Follow-up echocardiographic data from the original cohort was assessed for differences in metrics between procedural groups at >6 months (MVr: n = 75;MVR: n = 23) and 1 year (MVr: n = 75;MVR: n = 18) post-op. Results: MVR patients had a lower risk of being readmitted for HF within 5 years compared to the MVr group (HR-adj (95% CI): 0.60 (0.41 - 0.88), p = 0.008). MVR patients also had a higher overall risk of death (HR-adj (95% CI): 1.82 (1.05 - 3.16), p = 0.034) but this was borderline significantly different at 5 years cut-off (p = 0.057). Conclusions: Higher HF readmission in MVr patients than in sicker, higher surgical-risk MVR patients reflects the inadequacy of MVr to treat FMR. Novel approaches to MVR may be necessary to adequately manage FMR.

Staged Surgery for Bronchobiliary Fistula and Incidental Finding of Mitral Valve Disease

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is defined as abnormal passage between bronchial system and the bile tree which often manifests as presence of bile in the sputum (biloptysis). BBF is a serious complication which requires early diagnosis and well-planned management strategy to avoid the high morbidity and mortality rate. The hydatid cystic disease is still the leading cause of the BBF. In this paper we present a case of 32-year-old man with BBF who was incidentally found to have a mitral valve disease for which he underwent mitral valve replacement during his management course.

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Secondary to Structural Valve Degeneration of a Bioprosthetic Valve

Heart valve replacement is a common cardiac surgical procedure used to treat native valvular diseases such as aortic and mitral stenosis and regurgitation. These procedures reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diseased native valves and yet come at the expense of prosthetic valve complications. Structural valve degeneration is one such complication. We present a case of a critically ill elderly man who had undergone mitral valve replacement 14 years prior to his current presentation. Only after admission through the emergency department was a transesophageal echocardiogram obtained and the diagnosis of prosthetic valve degeneration made. He subsequently underwent successful replacement of his diseased prosthetic valve.

Surgical incision in complete video-assisted mitral valve replacement

Background Prosthetic mitral valve replacement is a common surgical treatment of mitral valve disease.Complete video-assisted mitral valve replacement represents the contemporary minimally invasive cardiac surgery in valve disease surgical therapy. In the field of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, the success of the operation is largely depending on surgical incision, it also reflects the surgeon’s technique level. Method From February 2010 to February 2013, 80 cases of cardiac patients with mitral valve pathological changes in our department who had received surgical treatment of complete video-assisted mitral valve replacement were recruited, they were divided into two groups according to the surgical incision： midclavicular group（M group,n = 50） and parasternal group（P group, n = 30）. The clinical data were recorded including： cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic clamping time, volume of thoracic drainage after operation, ICU tracheal intubation time,postoperative days of hospital stay and time for observing the postoperative complications. The comparison between two groups was performed using t-test analysis. Result Both M Group and P Group had favorable surgical view, there were no emergency situation of redo median sternotomy during initial operative period or intraoperative death, no pericardial tamponade, no infection, and no other serious postoperative complications.Whereas, there were 2 cases of redo operation for stanch bleeding in M Group and 1 case of perivalvular leakage in P Group. Nevertheless, 3 months later, the result of reexamine showed that the perivalvular leakage had vanished. The clinical data was shown as follow（M Group vs. P Group）： cardiopulmonary bypass time（90.2 ± 28.7 vs. 87.3 ± 24.5 min, P 〉 0.05）, aortic clamping time（65.2 ± 17.4 vs. 68.6 ± 21.9 min, P 〉 0.05）,1st day volume of thoracic drainage after operation 1（75.8 ± 35.6 vs. 53.2 ± 25.6 mL, P 〉 0.05）, ICU tracheal intubation time（9.6 ± 3.4 vs. 8.4 ± 4.5 hours, P 〉 0.05）, postoperative days of hospital stay（7.3 ± 2.2 vs. 6.9± 3.2 days, P 〉 0.05）. T-test analysis of the data of each groups showed that there were no significant statistically difference. Conclusions Appropriate surgical incisions guarantee a favorable surgical view and the success of the whole process during intraoperative period. In both midclavicular and parasternal approaches, the complete video-assisted mitral valve replacement is able to be accomplished safely and successfully. Due to the current development level of thoracoscopic instruments and equipment, the surgical incision and approach for video-assisted mitral valve replacement are diversified. As a result, diversified surgical incisions can be customized according to the variegated pathological changes of cardiac patients.