Double Valve Procedures Research Articles

Medium-term outcomes from mitral valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease in young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand: a cohort study.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in New Zealand. Factors associated with the choice of surgical treatment for advanced RHD in young adults are poorly understood. We sought to review our local experience with the surgical management of young adults with rheumatic mitral valvular disease. From 2003 to 2016, all patients aged 15-24 years undergoing mitral valve surgery for rheumatic disease at Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand were retrospectively reviewed. During the 13-year study period, 73 young adults underwent mitral surgery; 85% were Maori or Pacific Islanders. Mitral repair was performed in 32 patients and replacement in 41 patients. Isolated mitral valve surgery was performed in 36%, double valve procedures in 47%, and triple valve procedures in 17% of patients. The 30-day mortality rate and stroke rate were 1.4% and 2.7% respectively. The medium-term mortality rate was 11.9% across a mean follow-up of 6 years (6.9% in the repair group, 15.8% in the replacement group, p=0.25). There were increased bleeding complications (p=0.04) in patients with mechanical mitral valve replacement. For patients on warfarin, across medium-term follow-up, the INR was in the therapeutic range only 23% of the time. Most young adults in New Zealand with severe RHD requiring surgery are of indigenous Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity. There is a trend towards improved survival with mitral repair. There is a significant tendency towards increased bleeding complications in patients on warfarin for mechanical mitral replacement. Warfarin compliance is poor.

Mixed-Valve Disease: Management of Patients with Aortic Stenosis and Mitral Regurgitation: Thresholds for Surgery Versus Percutaneous Therapies

Significant mitral regurgitation (MR), frequently seen in the presence of severe aortic stenosis (AS), results in an association that negatively affects prognosis and imposes particular challenges for both the assessment of the severity of valvular lesions and decisions regarding treatment allocation. This article reviews the available literature with regards to the assessment of MR and AS in the presence of both; surgical management and results in patients with concomitant AS and MR; the effect of MR on outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement; the effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement on MR severity; and percutaneous treatment for MR after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The authors aim to provide assistance in the decision-making process to treat patients with either a higher-risk double-valve procedure or a simpler, but perhaps incomplete, single-valve option.

Three-Dimensional Endoscopic-Assisted Concomitant Mitral and Aortic Valve Surgery

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is commonly used to treat degenerative mitral regurgitation. The totally endoscopic approach has emerged as an attractive alternative procedure especially for young patients and has been described in isolated mitral and aortic valve settings. The totally endoscopic double valve procedure, including mitral and aortic valves, extends this treatment option to a broader patient population. We describe our approach to performing a totally endoscopic concomitant aortic and mitral valve procedure that has overcome unique technical hurdles and has yielded favorable outcomes.

403 Sutureless Sorin Perceval Versus Rapidly Deployed Edwards Intuity Elite: Short- And Medium-Term Outcomes Comparison in A Single Centre Experience

Abstract Aim Rapid deployment aortic valves (RDAV) are an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement. This single-centre study compares surgical outcomes, and hemodynamic performance between the rapid deployment valves. Method A total of 120 consecutive patients receiving either a Sorin Perceval S (N = 61) or an Edwards INTUITY valve (N = 59) between January 2016 and September 2019 were included. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all patients undergoing isolated Aortic valve replacement or with any concomitant procedure were included. This study compared Preoperative characteristics, valve-related adverse events, post-operative complications, trans-valvular gradients and survival rates. Results Mean age, EuroSCORE II 2.78, body mass index and gender distribution were similar between the two studied groups. More Octogenarians received a Perceval valve than an Intuity valve (31 vs 9 P > 0.05). Thirty-day mortality and valve-related complications including need for insertion of permanent pacemaker were comparable. At follow up echocardiography, peak or mean pressure gradients were comparable between groups. However, higher peak gradient was recorded when Perceval size S is compared to Intuity 21 (P < 0.05) and Perceval size L is compared to Intuity 25 (P,0.05) Conclusions Both Perceval and Intuity rapid deployment valves had good early and medium-term surgical outcomes and valve hemodynamics, with relatively low valve-related complication rates. More Perceval valves were deployed through Mini-sternotomy incision but Intuity valves were used more often with double valve procedures. Intuity valves were associated with lower pressure gradients when compared with size matched Perceval valves.

Case report of Double Valve Replacement with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with Supracoronary Ascending Aortic Replacement in a Single Patient - A Chimera

Double valve replacement is now-a-days a common procedure to treat diseased cardiac valves and the primary aim of prophylactic aortic replacement during concomitant valve replacement is to prevent dreadful complication like dissection, aortic rupture and even death. Although aortic surgeries are complex and have high morbidity and mortality rates, additional double valve procedure with coronary surgery can make it even worse. But for these patients, surgery remains the one and only treatment option for symptom relieve and prolongation of life. We herein present a case of severe aortic stenosis (AS) with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic aneurysm treated successfully by us at Square Hospitals; and to our best knowledge and according to the published articles, this is probably the first time, this type of combined cardiac procedure has been accomplished along with aortic surgery, in our country. We recommend that surgeons should perform bypass grafting along with aortic replacement and valve replacement surgery when indicated, without worrying that adding such a procedure will escalate post-operative adverse effect. Cardiovasc j 2021; 14(1): 82-87

Prognosis of functional mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement for pure severe aortic stenosis.

Whether patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and significant functional mitral regurgitation (MR) should undergo isolated aortic (aortic valve replacement [AVR]) or double aortic-mitral valve procedure (DVP) remains controversial. We sought to determine outcomes of such patients undergoing surgical (surgical aortic valve replacement [SAVR]) and transcatheter AVR (TAVR) or DVP, identify echocardiographic parameters predictive of significant residual MR after isolated AVR, and determine its impact on long-term survival. Data prospectively collected from 736 consecutive patients with severe AS and significant MR undergoing AVR or DVP were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion of organic MR, other valve diseases and concomitant CABG yielded a final population of 74 patients with significant functional MR (32 TAVR, 23 SAVR, 19 DVP). Demographics, postoperative complications and age-adjusted survival were compared. Echocardiographic predictors of significant residual MR and its impact on survival were analyzed for patients undergoing isolated AVR. In the isolated AVR group, MR improvement occurred in 60% of patients and was associated with a significant increase in survival compared to persistence of significant MR (p = .03). Patients with improved MR had significantly greater preoperative left ventricular dilatation (LVEDD: 49 vs. 43 mm, p = .001; LVESD: 35 vs. 29 mm, p = .03; LVEDV: 101 vs. 71 ml, p = .0003; LVESV: 57 vs. 33 ml, p = .002). There was no significant difference in perioperative mortality (5.3 vs. 4.4 vs. 9.4%, p = .85) or age-adjusted long-term survival between isolated AVR and DVP groups (76.3 vs. 84.2% survival at 2-year follow-up, p = .26), or between SAVR, TAVR and DVP groups (78.2 vs. 75.0 vs. 84.2% survival at 2-year follow-up, p = .13). After isolated AVR, MR improvement occurs in 60% of patients. It is predicted by greater ventricular dimensions and associated with significantly better long-term survival. Whether a staged approach with transcatheter correction of MR should be considered in patients with significant residual MR following AVR remains undetermined.

Essen-Commando: How we do it.

In rare cases of extensive aortic root or mitral valve infective endocarditis (IE), severe calcification of the aortic and mitral valves, or double-valve procedures in patients with small aortic and mitral annuli, surgical reconstruction of the intervalvular fibrous body (IVFB) is required. A high mortality is generally associated with this procedure, and it is frequently avoided by surgeons due to a lack of experience. It is crucial to radically resect all tissues that are severely affected by IE to prevent recurrence in the patient. Our experience with the Commando procedure in patients with extensive double-valve IE involving the IVFB is presented in this article.

Should concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation be performed in elderly patients?

ObjectiveThe incidence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, and therefore many elderly patients presenting for cardiac surgery have atrial fibrillation. In recent publications, increasing age has been recognized as a predictor for ablation failure. Furthermore, many surgeons are reluctant to perform a surgical ablation in elderly patients. We investigated the safety and efficacy of concomitant surgical atrial fibrillation ablation in elderly patients. MethodsBetween 2003 and 2013, 556 patients underwent concomitant surgical atrial fibrillation ablation at the University Heart Center Hamburg and served as our primary study cohort. During follow-up, rhythm monitoring was established by 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram (70.5%) or an implantable loop recorder (29.5%) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The primary end point of the study was freedom from atrial fibrillation at 12 months follow-up and the detection of deviations from a linear association between age and risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence. A multiple logistic regression model including age as a linear term was used to identify predictors for rhythm outcome. ResultsMean patients’ age was 68.4 ± 9.07 years, and 67.3% of the patients were male. Mean duration of atrial fibrillation was 3.5 ± 3.3 years, and mean left atrium diameters were enlarged with 50.5 ± 8.8 mm. There were no major ablation-related complications. The 30-day and 1-year survivals were 97.7% and 95.8%, respectively. The overall rate of freedom from atrial fibrillation ranged from 62% to 72% and was independent of age. The age-dependent risk of atrial fibrillation at 12 months was significantly increased in elderly patients undergoing a concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Multiple logistic regression model revealed double valve procedures (odds ratio, 3.48; P = .020), preoperative persistent atrial fibrillation (odds ratio, 2.43; P = .001), and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly patients (odds ratio, 2.03; P = .009) as risk factors for recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Sinus rhythm at discharge (odds ratio, 0.39; P < .001) and bipolar ablation (odds ratio, 0.32; P < .001) were significant predictors for successful ablation. ConclusionsSurgical atrial fibrillation ablation was safe and effective independently of age. Sinus rhythm at discharge and bipolar ablation were significant predictors for successful ablation, whereas double valve procedures, preoperative persistent atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly patients were risk factors for recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Mortality Predictors in the Surgical Treatment of Active Infective Endocarditis.

IntroductionActive infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Surgery is indicated in high-risk conditions, and the main determinants of mortality in surgical treatment should be evaluated.ObjectiveTo identify mortality predictors in the surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis in a long-term follow-up.MethodsThis prospective observational study involved 88 consecutive patients diagnosed with active infective endocarditis, who underwent surgery between January 2005 and December 2015. Fifty-eight (65.9%) patients were male, the mean age was 50.87±16.15 years. A total of 31 (35.2%) patients had a history of rheumatic fever; 48 (54.5%) had had heart surgery with prosthetic valve implantation; 45 (93.8%) had biological prosthetic valve endocarditis and 3 (6.3%) mechanical prosthetic valve; 40 (45.5%) patients had the disease in their native valve. The mean EuroSCORE II was 8.9±6.5%, and the main surgical indication was refractory heart failure in 38 (43.2%) patients. A total of 68 bioprosthesis (36 aortic, 32 mitral) and 29 mechanical prostheses (12 aortic, 17 mitral) were implanted and three mitral valve plasties performed. A total of 25 (28.4%) patients underwent double or triple valve procedures. Aortic annulus reconstruction by abscess was performed in 18 (20.5%) and six (6.81%) patients had combined procedure. The mean surgery time was 359±97.6 minutes.ResultsThe overall survival in up to a 10-year follow-up period was 79.5%. In the univariate analysis, the main mortality predictors were positive blood cultures (P=0.003), presence of typical microorganisms (P=0.008), most frequently Streptococcus viridans (12 cases; 25%); C-reactive protein (hazard ratio [HR] 1.034, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000 to 1.070, P=0.04); creatinine clearance (HR 0.977, 95% CI 0.962 to 0.993, P=0.005); length of surgery: every five minutes multiplies the chance of death 1.005-fold (HR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.009, P=0.0307); age (HR 1.060, 95% CI 1.026 to 1.096, P=0.001); and EuroSCORE II (HR 1.089, 95% CI 1.030 to 1.151, P=0.003).ConclusionA positive blood culture with typical microorganism, C-reactive protein, age, EuroSCORE II, total surgical time and the presence of postoperative complications were the major predictors of mortality and significantly impacted survival in up to a 10-year follow-up period.

Sternotomy-Free Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery as a Single, Double, or Triple Valve Procedure

Sternotomy-Free Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery as a Single, Double, or Triple Valve Procedure

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: An Update

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) was introduced in the mid-1990s to refer to a variety of surgical techniques that avoid full sternotomy through smaller or alternative chest wall incisions, as an attempt to reduce complications, but at the same time preserve outcomes of the full sternotomy approach. In this review, different aspects of MIMVS are discussed in relation to its approaches (right parasternal incision, lower ministernotomy, right anterolateral minithoracotomy and left posterior minithoracotomy) as well as strategies (mini-incisions, video-assistance, video direction with robotic assistance and telemanipulation) passing through more than 2 decades of continuous evolution. In the current practice MIMVS shows similar outcome to conventional surgery with even more superior results regarding blood loss, ICU and hospital stay, as well as functional recovery. The accumulating experience with MIMVS encouraged surgeons to extend the application of these techniques to high-risk patients, redo surgeries, concomitant double or triple valve procedures as well as combined coronary artery and mitral valve diseases in a hybrid approach, reducing the need for full median sternotomy. In addition there is an emerging trend of transcatheter valve implantation in the mitral position with small reports of valve-in valve or valve-in- ring implantation as well as valve replacement in case of severe MAC. This new trend may establish itself in the future as a modality in treating native mitral valve diseases in high risk patients. Therefore it is recommended for cardiac centers to build up a program for MIMVS in order to fulfill the recent requirements of cardiac surgery.

Long-term results after surgical treatment of paravalvular leak in the aortic and mitral position

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine immediate results and long-term outcomes after surgical management of paravalvular leak (PVL). MethodsBetween 1995 and 2012, a total of 190 patients underwent primary surgical repair (n = 142) or valve replacement (n = 48) for a PVL at our institution. The PVL was mild in 6 (3%) patients, moderate in 85 (45%), moderate to severe in 84 (44%), and severe in 15 (8%). Among these, 120 (63%) had PVL in the mitral position, 63 (33%) had PVL in the aortic position, and 7 (4%) had PVL in both valves. Mean follow-up was 5.3 ± 4.6 years. ResultsMean age at surgery was 63 ± 12 years (64% men). Operative mortality occurred in 13 (7%) patients (10 [8%] in mitral; 2 [3%] in aortic; and 1 [14%] in double valve procedures). Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 85% ± 3%, 73% ± 4%, and 56% ± 5%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of PVL recurrence was 3% ± 1%, 14% ± 3%, and 32% ± 6%, at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The number of previous surgeries was a predictor of survival and PVL recurrence. Freedom from New York Heart Association class ≥III was 96% ± 2%, 82% ± 4%, and 58% ± 6%, at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The freedom from rehospitalization for heart failure was 92% ± 2%, 83% ± 4%, and 67% ± 6%, at 1, 5, and 10 years. ConclusionsSurgical treatment of PVL resulted in acceptable outcomes. Nevertheless, the continued risk of PVL recurrence is higher in patients who have had multiple previous surgeries. More studies are needed to compare these results with the transcatheter PVL reduction technique.

Outcomes of patients undergoing concomitant mitral and aortic valve surgery: results from an Italian regional cardiac surgery registry.

There are limited reliable data on the long-term survival of patients operated upon with double-valve surgery (DVS) in the literature. In this study, in-hospital mortality and 5-year survival were determined and the potential risk factors for increased mortality were identified and discussed. This is a report of an observational retrospective study of 1167 patients undergoing concomitant aortic and mitral valve surgery from 2002 to 2011. Data were prospectively collected in a regional database from Emilia-Romagna (Italy). The overall in-hospital mortality rate for DVS was 6.9%. Both in-hospital and 1-year mortality were statistically significant between age groups. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for patients with a smaller body mass index (BMI), for those who had concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and those who received mitral valve replacement (MVR) instead of plasty (MVP). In-hospital and 1-year mortality were highest in patients ≥70 who had implantation of mitral and aortic mechanical valves. There were significant differences in 5-year follow-up survival according to age, BMI and concomitant CABG. The choice of MVR and MVP did not affect 5-year survival. Multivariable analysis showed that patient-related factors appear to be the major determinant of late survival, irrespective of the type of operation or other intraoperative variables. Advanced age, smaller BMI and concomitant CABG are significant risk factors for mortality in DVS. MVP provided comparable 5-year outcomes with MVR. Multivariable analysis demonstrates that preoperative and clinical patient-related factors are the real burden in the successful treatment of patients undergoing double-valve procedures.

Hybrid Approach of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Followed by Minimally Invasive Valve Operations

A subset of patients requiring coronary revascularization and valve operations may benefit from a hybrid approach of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by a minimally invasive valve operation, rather than the standard combined median sternotomy coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and a valve operation. This study sought to evaluate the outcomes of this approach in a heterogeneous group of patients with concomitant coronary artery and valvular disease. We retrospectively evaluated 222 consecutive patients with coronary artery and valvular heart disease who underwent PCI followed by elective minimally invasive valve operations at our institution between February 2009 and August2013. A total of 136 men and 86 women were identified. The mean age was 74.6 ± 8.2 years, with 181 (81.5%) undergoing 1-vessel, 27 (12.2%) undergoing 2-vessel, and 14 (6.3%) undergoing 3-vessel PCI. Within a median of 38 days (interquartile range [IQR] 18-65 days), 182 (82%) patients underwent primary and 34 (15.3%) underwent repeated valve operations, which consisted of 185 (83.3%) single-valve and 37 (16.7%) double-valve procedures. Operative mortality occurred in 8 patients (3.6%). At a mean follow-up of 16.2± 12 months, 6 patients required PCI, with target-vessel revascularization performed in 4 patients (2.1%). Survival at 1 and 4.5 years was 91.9% and 88.3%, respectively. In a heterogeneous group of patients, a hybrid approach of PCI followed by minimally invasive valve operations in patients undergoing primary or repeated valve operations can be performed with excellent outcomes.

EComment. Repair versus mitral replacement in patients undergoing concomitant aortic valve replacement

I congratulate Kim et al. on a very large series on double valve procedures with an impressively low in-hospitality mortality rate [1]. Their work raises a number of interesting questions: Firstly, 410 patients undergoing double valve procedures were excluded. Did all these patients have rheumatic mitral stenosis, or did another reason exist for their exclusion? The data on double valve replacement in patients with mitral stenosis may have helped to provide a control for mechanical valve related events and potentially a Kaplan-Meier survival comparison (which was not included in the manuscript) for the mitral repair group. Kaplan-Meier survival curves are univariate in nature. Did a multivariate Cox model procedure have the same outcomes as the inverse probability treatment weighted method? A simple Kaplan-Meier technique may be inaccurate, despite inverse probability treatment weighting, as significant differences in aortic tissue valve replacement and aortic graft replacement existed in their adjusted data. Of note, preoperative atrial fibrillation and ejection fraction also approached significance in the adjusted data. With nearly 25% of patients suffering postoperative mitral valve dysfunction at five years after repair surgery, I would tentatively interpret this as a need for caution for mitral valve repair in patients having concomitant mechanical aortic vale replacement surgery, or in patients with a life expectancy greater than five years. Patients undergoing tissue or mechanical aortic valve replacement surgery are by definition different patient populations, regardless of any mitral valve procedure performed [2]. Propensity matching and Cox multivariate analysis are unlikely to adjust for this selection bias. I would be interested in knowing the outcomes for patients undergoing double valve replacement versus aortic valve replacement plus mitral valve repair, for tissue and mechanical valve replacement subgroups. I thank Kim et al. for their thoughtful analysis of a high-risk difficult subgroup of patients. Conflict of interest: none declared.

Associations between valve repair and reduced operative mortality in 21 056 mitral/tricuspid double valve procedures

Repair of either the mitral (M) or tricuspid (T) valve in single valve surgery is associated with reduced operative mortality. It is unclear, however, how valve repair influences mortality in combined MT procedures. This topic was evaluated in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. From 1993 through 2007, 21 056 patients underwent concomitant MT valve surgery. Group I had M&T replacement (n = 1130), Group II had M repair and T replacement (n = 216), Group III had M replacement and T repair (n = 11 448) and Group IV had both M&T repair (n = 8262). Unadjusted operative mortalities (UOMs) and morbidities of Groups I-IV were assessed, and logistic regression analysis adjusted for differences in baseline patient profiles. Surgical outcomes were expressed as UOMs, and also adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for mortality. Group IV was older with more coronary artery bypass grafting and generally less comorbidity, and Group I had more endocarditis, mitral stenosis and reoperation. UOM values were: Group I = 16.8, Group II = 10.2, Group III = 10.3 and Group IV = 8.0%. In the multivariable model, factors influencing mortality included: age (per 5-year increase, OR = 1.15), renal failure with dialysis (OR = 3.22), emergency status (OR = 3.14), second or more reoperations (OR = 1.92) and later surgical date (OR = 0.63). Both M and T repair were independently associated with lower operative mortalities vs prosthetic valve replacement (OR = 0.83 and 0.60, respectively, P < 0.003). In MT double valve surgery, repair of either valve is associated with lower risk-adjusted mortality when compared with replacement and, when feasible, multiple valve repair should be considered the optimal treatment. Within the limitations of observational analysis, these data support continued efforts to increase M&T repair rates.

Moderate Tricuspid Regurgitation With Left-Sided Degenerative Heart Valve Disease: To Repair or Not to Repair?

Uncertainty about long-term effects of surgically unaddressed moderate (2+) secondary tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation (TR) accompanying left-sided degenerative heart valve disease led us to identify reasons for and factors associated with TV repair, compare safety and clinical effectiveness of relieving TR, and identify factors associated with severe (3/4+) postoperative TR. From 1997 to 2008, 1,724 patients with 2+ TR underwent 830 mitral, 703 aortic, and 191 double-valve procedures; 91 (5%) had concomitant TV repair. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with TV repair and for propensity-matched comparison of safety (in-hospital morbidity, mortality) and effectiveness of TV repair (longitudinal echocardiographic assessment of postoperative TR and New York Heart Association class, TV intervention, survival). Factors associated with TV repair of 2+ TR included larger right ventricles and left ventricles (p<0.001), greater TV tethering height (p=0.0002), and prior concurrent mitral valve procedures (p≤0.004). In-hospital complications, subsequent TV interventions, and intermediate-term survival were similar for matched patients. The TV repair patients had less 3/4+ TR at discharge (7% versus 15%), sustained out to 3 years. No TV repair (p=0.05), female sex (p<0.0001), and mitral valve replacement (p=0.008) were associated with 3/4+ TR. A TV repair for moderate TR concomitant with surgery for degenerative left-sided heart valve disease is reasonable to provide an opportunity to prevent its progression and development of right ventricle dysfunction, particularly for patients with important right ventricle remodeling and evidence of right ventricular failure, and for patients with advanced left-sided disease requiring mitral valve replacement.

Minimally Invasive Transaortic Repair of the Mitral Valve

We retrospectively evaluated the results of an edge-to-edge repair (Alfieri stitch) of the mitral valve performed via a transaortic approach in patients who were undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement. From January 2010 to September 2010, 6 patients underwent minimally invasive edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve via a transaortic approach with concomitant aortic valve replacement. The patients were considered to be candidates for this procedure if they were deemed by the surgeon to be high-risk for a double valve procedure and if on preoperative transesophageal echocardiogram the mitral regurgitation jet originated from the middle portion (A2/P2 segments) of the mitral valve. There was no operative mortality. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 137 minutes, and mean cross-clamp time was 111 minutes. There was a significant improvement in the mean mitral regurgitation grade, with a mean of 3.8 preoperatively and 0.8 postoperatively. The ejection fraction remained stable, with mean preoperative and postoperative ejection fractions of 43.3% and 47.5%, respectively. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiograms obtained at a mean of 33 days postoperatively (range, 8-108 days) showed no significant worsening of mitral regurgitation. Transaortic repair of the mitral valve is feasible in patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement.

Combined aortic and mitral ring enlargement in extreme patient-prosthesis mismatch

Introduction: Long-term results after heart valve replacement can be impaired due to relevant patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM). This can be avoided by ring enlargement even in double valve procedures. We present a case with an annular enlargement technique for combined aortic and mitral valve replacement in a patient with too small annuli.

Surgical treatment of double and triple heart valve disease through a limited single-access right minithoracotomy

Heart valve disease can be extensive and may include double (mitral-aortic, mitral-tricuspid), or triple (mitral, aortic, and tricuspid) valvular regurgitation. The surgical correction of significant valvular regurgitation usually consists of the repair or replacement of all valves affected by a pathologic process. The median full-length sternotomy still serves as a classic approach for single, double, and triple valve operations in most patients. Here, we present a minimally invasive approach for the surgery of double and triple heart valve disease through a limited single-access right minithoracotomy in the 3rd intercostal space, with central aortic and percutaneous venous cannulation. A total of 48 double valve procedures were performed in our department using this technique. The minimally invasive approach through a right single-access thoracotomy has become our choice for all isolated mitral valve, and for most isolated aortic valve, replacement procedures. Triple valve surgery was performed in six cases and was feasible in all selected patients.