Mitral Valve Repair with Autologous Pericardial Ring

Abstract

Between October 1997 and December 1999, 78 patients underwent mitral valve repair using an autologous pericardial ring for posterior annuloplasty. Five patients with congenital heart disease were excluded from the study, and 1 was lost to follow-up. The remaining patients comprised 45 males and 27 females, aged 17 to 74 years (mean, 43.8 years). Follow-up ranged from 3 to 30 months (mean, 17.6 months). Mitral valve repair was required for rheumatic disease (37), degenerative disease (26), infective endocarditis (4), and ischemic heart disease (5). Isolated valve repair was performed in 42 patients, associated operations were aortic valve replacement with autologous pericardium (5), aortic valve replacement (4), aortic valve repair (3), aortic valve replacement with pulmonary autograft (1), tricuspid valve repair (9), and coronary artery bypass (4). The most frequent surgical procedures were posterior annuloplasty, resection of secondary chordae, and suture annuloplasty (average repair procedures per patient was 4.4). There were 2 hospital deaths; one from acute respiratory failure and one from low cardiac output. Three patients needed mitral valve replacement. Use of an autologous pericardial ring is a safe alternative technique for mitral valve annuloplasty but long-term follow-up is mandatory.