Mitral valve repair with aortic valve replacement in rheumatic heart disease

From 1992 to 2001, 609 patients with rheumatic heart disease underwent aortic valve replacement with either mitral valve repair (n = 201) or mitral valve replacement (n = 408). Follow-up extended to 10 years. Thirty-day mortality was 1.4% for mitral valve repair and 0.7% for mitral valve replacement (p = 0.4). Survival at 9 years was 96.5 +/- 1.4% after mitral valve repair and 89.7 +/- 7.8% after mitral valve replacement (p = 0.73). Freedom from major bleeding at 9 years was 94.8 +/- 2.4% after mitral valve repair and 81 +/- 7.2% after mitral valve replacement (p = 0.03). Freedom from other valve-related complications and from mitral valve re-operation was similar for the two groups. This study showed that in patients with rheumatic heart disease the results of mitral valve repair with aortic valve replacement were comparable to those of double valve replacement. Major bleeding was less frequent after mitral valve repair with aortic valve replacement. Therefore, whenever feasible, mitral valve repair should be attempted in patients with rheumatic heart disease who need concomitant aortic valve replacement.     

The effect of aortic valve replacement on left ventricular mass assessed by echocardiography.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate whether aortic valve replacement (AVR) has different effects on the left ventricular mass (LVM) in patients with different types of aortic valve disease, i.e. aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR), or combined disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 100 patients with AS; (n=57), AR; (n=22), and combined disease; (n=21). Each patient was evaluated before and up to 8.7 years (mean follow-up period 1.42 +/- 1.65 years) after operation by transthoracic echocardiography. LVM was calculated based on echocardiographic parameters. Following AVR, the LVM for the entire group decreased from 373 +/- 145 g to 280 +/- 102 g (P=0.0001). The AS subgroup lost 13.7 +/- 30.7% from the preoperative LVM, compared to 28.8 +/- 24.8% in the AR subgroup (P<0.05) and 23.1 +/- 33.1% in the combined subgroup. The preoperative LVM was higher among patients with AR vs. AS patients (501 +/- 173 g vs. 319 +/- 100 g respectively, P<0.05). The decrease in LVM was significantly higher in patients with preoperative AR compared to AS patients (165 +/- 150 g vs. 58 +/- 96 g, respectively, P<0.05). However, the postoperative LVM remained higher among the former. The only preoperative parameter (of the LVM formula) that was different between AR and AS patients was the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (68 +/- 11 mm vs. 51 +/- 7 mm, respectively, P<0.05). No significant differences were found in wall thickness among the groups studied. Univariate analysis showed that gender (male), type of aortic valve disease (AR vs. AS), and larger prosthetic valve diameter correlated significantly with greater decrease in postoperative LVM. In multivariate analysis comparing the above variables between AS and AR subgroups, only the patient's gender (i.e. male) was identified as an independent predictor of LVM regression. CONCLUSION: Patients with AR have a greater decline in LVM compared with patients with AS following AVR. The postoperative decline in LVM is higher among males and those with larger prosthetic valve diameter.     

Mixed aortic valve disease treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a high risk patient presenting with acute decompensated heart failure

Mixed aortic valve disease refers to the combination of aortic regurgitation (AR) and aortic stenosis (AS). Commonly etiologies include a bicuspid aortic valve, rheumatic heart disease, and endocarditis superimposed upon a stenotic aortic valve. Treatment depends upon the severity of disease, the presence of symptoms and the size and function of the left ventricle. We present a case of a young patient that presented with new onset acute decompensated heart failure with mixed aortic valve disease that was successful treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Invasive hemodynamics at baseline and following TAVR provide an insight into the characteristic features of mixed aortic valve disease. TAVR represents a new treatment option for critically ill patients deemed high risk or nonoperable for surgical aortic valve replacement.     

Influence of surgery on the natural history of rheumatic mitral and aortic valve disease

The rate of survival, the evolution of functional cardiac status and the incidence of major complications during a 5 year period were studied in 410 patients with rheumatic mitral or aortic valve disease, of whom 200 were treated medically and 210 by surgery. The 5 year survival rates in patients with various types of rheumatic mitral valve disease were similar (45 percent for those with mitral stenosis and 46 percent for those with mitral insufficiency or mixed mitral insufficiency and stenosis). The survival rate in patients with aortic valve disease was somewhat more favorable (64 percent).Mitral valvulotomy had the most positive influence on mortality. The 85 percent 5 year survival rate of patients who underwent this procedure was significantly higher than that of patients with medically treated mitral stenosis. In patients submitted to mitral and aortic valve replacement, the survival rate was also improved in comparison with data in the corresponding medically treated groups, but to a lesser degree (70 percent for aortic valve replacement and 60 percent for mitral valve replacement). In all surgically treated groups, initial operative mortality was the primary determinant of the rate of survival at the end of 5 years.Survivors of all surgical groups had appreciable improvement in cardiac functional classification and a remarkable reduction in the incidence of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The incidence of infectious endocarditis was significantly reduced after mitral valvulotomy, as compared with the incidence in patients with medically treated mitral stenosis. Mitral and aortic valve replacement did not reduce the incidence of infectious endocarditis. The incidence of thromboembolic phenomena was favorably influenced by mitral valvulotomy and aortic valve replacement, but not by mitral valve replacement.     

Rates and determinants of progressive aortic valve dysfunction in aortic coarctation

Purpose

Aortic valve dysfunction is common in coarctation patients(CoA). Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) in CoA is associated with aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic valve regurgitation (AR), and ascending aortic dilatation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of and predictors for aortic valve dysfunction in CoA.

Methods

96 CoA patients prospectively underwent echocardiography twice between 2001 and 2010. AS was defined as an aortic valve gradient ≥ 20 mm Hg, AR as none/minor, or moderate/severe. Aortic dilatation as an ascending aortic diameter ≥ 37 mm.

Results

All patients (median age 28.0 years, range 17–61 years; male 57%) were followed with a median follow-up of 7.0 years. Sixty patients (63%) had BAV. At baseline 10 patients had AS (10%, 9 BAV), 6 patients AR (6%, 3 BAV) and 11 patients aortic dilatation (11%, 11 BAV). At follow-up 15 patients had AS (15%, 13 BAV) and 12 patients AR. (13%, 8 BAV).Median AS progression was 1.1 mm Hg/5 years (range — 13–28). Determinants for AS at follow-up were age (ß = 0.20, P = 0.01), aortic dilatation (ß = 4.6, P = 0.03), and baseline aortic valve gradient (ß = 0.93, P < 0.001). BAV was predictive for AR. (ß = 0.91, P = 0.049).

Conclusion

Progression of AS in adult CoA patients is mild in this young population. Older age, aortic dilatation and the baseline aortic valve gradient are determinants for AS at follow-up. BAV is predictive for AR. These findings point towards a common embryological pathway of both valvular and aortic disease in CoA.     

Transaortic double valve replacement with total chordal preservation

Very few cases of transaortic double valve replacement have been reported in the literature. A 26-year-old man presented to us with severe aortic regurgitation, mitral valve thickening, and mild mitral regurgitation 6 years after he had undergone a Ross procedure and open mitral commissurotomy. At his 2nd operation, he underwent transaortic double valve replacement with total chordal preservation of the mitral apparatus. Due to recurrent rheumatic activity, this patient had experienced a recurrence of valvulopathy Because we have observed this in other young patients with rheumatic heart disease, we no longer perform the Ross procedure in such patients, especially if there is associated mitral valve disease. In selected patients with dilated aortic annulus, the transaortic approach provides excellent access for safe mitral valve replacement with total chordal preservation. The surgical technique and a brief review of the literature are presented.     

Relation of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide to progression of aortic valve disease.

AIMS: Recently an elevation of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic regurgitation (AR) has been described. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation of NT-proBNP values to the progression of aortic valve disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were included. NT-proBNP was elevated in patients with AS (n=109) and AR (n=37) linked to disease severity. Values for NT-proBNP, pressure gradient, and left ventricular mass were identical in patients (n=22) after previous valve replacement and in those patients with mild AS. NT-proBNP levels decreased in 86 patients after valve replacement (2292+/-353 vs. 785+/-101 pg/ml; P<0.01) but increased in 82 patients who were treated conservatively (616+/-120 vs. 1155+/-432 pg/mL; P=0.029), related to the progression of disease. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP is elevated in patients with aortic valve disease linked to disease severity and decreases after successful surgical therapy but increases in conservatively treated patients. These data underline the consistent relation of NT-proBNP to severity of aortic valve disease. Therefore, NT-proBNP should be considered as a biomarker for the monitoring of disease during follow-up, but further studies are warranted.     

Stage-related effect of statin treatment on the progression of aortic valve sclerosis and stenosis

It has been suggested that statins could slow the progression of aortic stenosis (AS), but this hypothesis is still debated and has not been validated in large series of patients by long-term follow-up studies. Moreover, information about the role of statins in patients with different degrees of severity of AS is scarce. From our 1988 to 2007 echocardiographic database, we retrospectively identified all asymptomatic patients with aortic valve sclerosis (abnormal irregular thickening of the aortic valve with a peak aortic velocity [V(max)] >/=1.5 and <2 m/s), mild AS (V(max) >/=2 and <3 m/s), and moderate AS (V(max) >/=3 and <4 m/s), age >/=50 years, and with >/=2 echocardiographic studies >/=2 years apart. Exclusion criteria were moderate/severe aortic regurgitation, bicuspid aortic valve, rheumatic valve disease, and ejection fraction <40%. The final study population consisted of 1,046 patients (mean age 70 +/- 8 years, 587 men); 309 were treated with statins. Mean follow-up duration was 5.6 +/- 3.2 years (range 2 to 19). Progression of AS was slower in patients receiving statins compared with untreated patients in aortic sclerosis (0.04 +/- 0.09 vs 0.07 +/- 0.10 m/s/year, p = 0.01) and mild AS (0.09 +/- 0.15 vs 0.15 +/- 0.15 m/s/year, p = 0.001), but not in moderate AS (0.21 +/- 0.18 vs 0.22 +/- 0.15 m/s/year, p = 0.70). In multivariate analysis only statin therapy, initial V(max), and dialysis were independently related to progression of aortic valve disease. In conclusion, in a large series of patients with long-term follow-up, statins were effective in slowing the progression of aortic valve disease in aortic sclerosis and mild AS, but not in moderate AS. These results suggest that statin therapy should be taken into consideration in the early stages of this common disease.     

Congenital severe aortic stenosis with congestive heart failure in late childhood and adolescence: effect on left ventricular function after balloon valvuloplasty.

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with congestive heart failure (CHF) resulting from severe congenital aortic stenosis (AS) is a well-described condition in infancy, but it is rarely found in older children and adolescents. Aortic valve surgery in such cases may be associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Aortic valve balloon dilatation (AVBD) is a viable alternative, but its effect on LV function has not been evaluated. We describe follow-up results of AVBD in 10 cases of severe congenital AS in older children and adolescents with CHF and LV dysfunction. The ages of these patients ranged from 5 to 18 yr (mean +/- SD: 10.8 +/- 4 yr), and nine were males. The follow-up period after AVBD ranged from 3 mo to 7 yr (mean +/- SD: 2.93 +/- 2.1 yr). Success was achieved in all cases, with no immediate complications. After valvuloplasty, the peak-to-peak systolic gradient declined from 74.7 +/- 30.8 to 33.9 +/- 18.2 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). The cardiac index increased slightly but significantly, from 1.9 +/- 0.27 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 L/min/m(2) (P < 0.015). Hemodynamic improvement was also confirmed by a significant decrease in mean pulmonary artery and pulmonary artery wedge pressures from 41.9 +/- 9 to 32.6 +/- 6.6 and from 25.5 +/- 2.9 to 19.3 +/- 3.4 mm Hg, respectively. The echocardiographically derived left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved from 21.6 +/- 5. 37% to 31 +/- 6.5% within 24 hr after AVBD, and it further improved in all cases on follow-up. Mean LVEF at last follow-up was 59.4 +/- 11.4%. The Doppler instantaneous peak systolic gradient (IPSG) increased from 37.3 +/- 18.8 to 64.8 +/- 30.7 mm Hg at late follow-up. Significant aortic regurgitation (AR) developed in 20% of patients. The Doppler IPSG across the aortic valve was > 60 mm Hg in five cases on follow-up. Two of these patients underwent another AVBD successfully 4 and 16 mo later, respectively. Aortic valve replacement was done in two patients, one for severe restenosis with mild AR 12 mo after AVBD and another for severe re-restenosis with moderate AR 21 mo after a second AVBD. Severe congenital AS can be associated with LV dysfunction and CHF in late childhood and adolescence. AVBD results in good palliation with improvement in LV function on follow-up.     

Heart valve surgery in China: yesterday and today

The past 20 years have seen rapid development in heart valve surgery in China. By the late 1990s, there were 6000 heart valve operations performed each year. Statistical analysis has shown that rheumatic heart disease is still the leading cause of valvular damage leading to surgery, as it had been 40 years before. The progressive fibrosis, sclerosis and calcification of the mitral valve that characterises rheumatic heart disease caused high mortality for all forms of mitral valve surgery in China in the 1960s. At that time, the introduction of closed mitral commissurotomy, initially highly effective in alleviating symptoms, was later found to result in re-stenosis in a significant cohort of patients. This was progressively replaced with open mitral commissurotomy. Today, mitral valve replacement represents 60-70% of valvular replacement procedures, followed by double-valve (mitral and aortic) replacement (20-25%). It has been shown both in China and elsewhere that careful selection of patients for an absence of mitral calcification leads to higher success rates for surgery. Heart valve replacement surgery in China now attains international standards in terms of the numbers of cases and surgical outcomes. Further long-term data collection and analysis are essential to aid the further development of the field.     

Factors determining early improvement in mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis: a transthoracic and transesophageal prospective study

BACKGROUND: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently associated with aortic stenosis. Previous reports have shown that coexisting mitral insufficiency can potentially regress after aortic valve replacement. HYPOTHESIS: This study sought to assess the frequency and severity of MR before and after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis and to define the determinants of its postoperative evolution. METHODS: For this purpose, 30 adult patients referred for aortic valve surgery underwent pre- and postoperative transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and color Doppler examination. RESULTS: Mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 57 +/- 16% and remained unchanged postoperatively. Preoperative MR was usually mild to moderate and correlated with aortic stenosis severity and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The color Doppler mitral regurgitant jet area significantly decreased during the postoperative period (p = 0.016) as left ventricular loading conditions returned to normal, suggesting an early decrease of the functional part of MR. On the other hand, the mitral regurgitant jet width at the origin remained unchanged. Statistical analysis found pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.02) an d indexed left ventricular mass (p = 0.009) to be preoperative predictive factors of postoperative MR improvement. Predictive factors of postoperative MR severity were left atrial diameter (p = 0.02), pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.003), and the presence of mitral calcifications (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients with normal left venticular ejection fraction, the majority of moderate MR, associated with severe aortic stenosis, regresses early after aortic valve replacement. Mitral calcifications and/or left atrial dilation seem to be predictive factors of fixed MR.     

经股动脉经导管主动脉瓣置换术治疗单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全

【摘要】 目的 探讨Venus-A支架瓣膜行经股动脉经导管主动脉瓣置换术治疗单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全患者的可行性。方法 回顾性调阅2018年12月至2019年12月在阜外医院接受经股动脉经导管主动脉瓣置换术的15例单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全患者的床资料。其中男性12例, 女性3例,年龄68—83岁,平均年龄(74.65±5.52)岁。患者术前均有左心功能不全症状,且术前心脏超声诊断均为单纯主动脉瓣重度返流。结果 患者行经股动脉经导管主动脉瓣置换术。所有病例成功植入Venus-A支架瓣膜。全组病例无死亡。出院前对患者进行临床评估和超声心动图检查。术中行瓣中瓣治疗3例,少量瓣周返流2例。其余病人均无明显瓣周返流,并且顺利出院。结论 经股动脉经导管主动脉瓣置换术治疗单纯主动脉瓣关闭不全患者是可行的,术后早期结果满意。     

Aortic valve replacement by bioprosthesis with enlargement of the aortic ring

Small diameter aortic valve bioprostheses are associated with resting ventriculo-aortic pressure gradients of 10 to 35 mmHg. In order to avoid this factor favouring degradation of left ventricular function and early deterioration of the bioprosthesis, we enlarged the aortic ring when the diameter was less than 23 mm in patients considered unsuitable for long-term anticoagulation. The surgical technique involved incising the annulus from the postero-lateral commissure to the anterior mitral leaflet and implanting a Dacron patch lined with pericardium. Nine patients aged from 10 to 70 years (average 22 years) underwent aortic valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis associated with enlargement of the aortic ring, between June 1979 and December 1981. The mean follow-up period is now 18 months (range 9 to 39 months). One patient has been lost to follow-up. Before surgery, 6 patients were in Stage III and 3 patients in Stage IV of the NYHA classification. There were 4 patients with pure aortic regurgitation with valve prolapse, 1 patient with aortic regurgitation due to endocarditis, and 4 patients with mixed aortic valve disease. The underlying disease was rheumatic in 6 cases, congenital in 2 cases and infective endocarditis in 1 case. The mean diameter of the aortic ring before enlargement was 19 mm. After the procedure, it increased to 23,8 mm, so enabling the implantation of no 23 and no 25 bioprostheses. Three patients had associated mitral regurgitation, 3 patients had mixed mitral valve disease, 1 patient had a membranous VSD with infundibular stenosis, and 1 patient had subvalvular aortic stenosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Triple valve surgery: a 25-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical treatment of rheumatic valvular disease still constitutes a significant number of cardiac operations in developing countries. Despite improvements in myocardial protection and cardiopulmonary bypass techniques, triple valve operations (aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves) are still challenging because of longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and higher degree of myocardial decompensation. This study was instituted in order to assess results of triple valve surgery. METHODS: Between 1977 and 2002, 34 patients underwent triple valve surgery in our clinic by the same surgeon (EB). Eleven patients underwent triple valve replacement (32.4%) and 23 underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty with aortic and mitral valve replacements (67.6%). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients who underwent triple valve replacement and aortic and mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve annuloplasty. There were 4 hospital deaths (11.8%) occurring within 30 days. The duration of follow-up for 30 survivors ranged from 6 to 202 months (mean 97 months). The actuarial survival rates were 85%, 72%, and 48% at 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. Actuarial freedom from reoperation rates at 5, 10, and 15 years was 86.3%, 71.9%, and 51.2%, respectively. Freedom from cerebral thromboembolism and anticoagulation-related hemorrhage rates, expressed in actuarial terms was 75.9% and 62.9% at 5 and 10 years. Major cerebral complications occurred in 10 of the 30 patients. CONCLUSION: We prefer replacing, if repairing is not possible, the tricuspid valve, with a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis in a patient with valve replacement of the left heart who will be anticoagulated in order to avoid unfavorable properties of bioprosthesis like degeneration and of old generation mechanical prosthesis like thrombosis and poor hemodynamic function. In recent years, results of triple valve surgery either with tricuspid valve conservation or valve replacement in suitable cases have become encouraging with improvements in surgical techniques and myocardial preservation methods.     

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: echocardiographic and clinical results

BACKGROUND: Port access has been described for mitral and bypass surgery. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of aortic valve replacement by use of port access. METHODS: Between 1996 and 1999, 153 port-access aortic valve replacements were performed at our institution. The mean age was 63 years (range 16-91 years); 58% were male. The New York Heart Association mean class was III; 18% were in class IV. Thirteen percent had diabetes, 42% hypertension, 7% prior transient ischemic episode or stroke, 7% lung disease, 3% renal failure, and 13% previous surgery. Echocardiograms were obtained after valve replacement in 125 patients (96 intraoperative transesophageal and 97 transthoracic echoes). RESULTS: Median length of stay was 8 days. There were no intraoperative deaths; 10 patients (6.5%) died in the postoperative period. Stroke occurred in 4 (2.6%), sepsis in 5 (3.3%), renal failure in 5 (3.3%), pneumonia in 3 (2%), and wound infection in 1 (0.7%). Tissue prosthesis was present in 83 and a mechanical prosthesis in 42. No or trace regurgitation was seen on 94 of 96 (98%) postbypass intraoperative echocardiograms and mild on 2. On follow-up echocardiograms, moderate regurgitation was seen in 4 of 97 (4.1%), mild-to-moderate in 2 (2.1%), mild in 18 (18.6%), and no or trace in 71 (73.2%). Of those who had aortic regurgitation on intraoperative or follow-up echocardiograms, it was paravalvular in 8. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with a port-access approach is feasible, even in high-risk patients. Small incisions, a low infection rate, and a short length of stay are attainable. However, the complications associated with traditional aortic valve replacement still occur. Echocardiography is valuable both for intraoperative monitoring and follow-up of this new procedure.     

Aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve: five-year follow up

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Presumed benefits from stentless bioprostheses include larger orifice areas with lower transvalvular gradients, and improved hemodynamic flow characteristics and annular mechanics. Herein are reported the results of a large series of the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve implanted in the aortic position. METHODS: Between July 1998 and June 2003, a total of 102 consecutive patients (58 males, 44 females; mean age 71.7+/-7.8 years; range: 28-87 years) requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR), including those undergoing concomitant procedures of coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair and mini-maze, was recruited. The predominant lesion was aortic stenosis (n = 92; 90.2%); aortic regurgitation (AR) occurred in five patients (4.9%) (including three with endocarditis), and mixed aortic valve disease in five (4.9%). Six patients (5.9%) had undergone previous cardiac surgery. The median preoperative NYHA class was III. Thirsty-six patients (35.3%) underwent AVR alone. The mean valve size was 25 mm (range: 21-29 mm). Sixty-three patients (61.8%) had concomitant coronary artery disease that required a mean of 2.4+/-1.1 bypass grafts; three patients (3.0%) had combined AVR and mitral valve repair. The study end points observed were mortality, valve failure due to degeneration or endocarditis, reoperation, thromboembolism, transvalvular gradients and left ventricular (LV) mass regression. RESULTS: The median follow up for all patients was 31 months (range: 12 months to 5 years). The mean total cross-clamp time was 71.7+/-17.6 min without associated procedures, and 93.9+/-19.7 min with concomitant procedures. Early mortality was 4/102 (3.8%); actuarial survival over five years was 89.2%. Freedom from thromboembolism over five years was 95.9%, from reoperation 100%, and from endocarditis 99.98%. Fifty-seven patients (56.4%) had no AR detected postoperatively, and 34 (33.3%) had trivial or mild AR. A significant decline was observed in indexed LV mass regression within six months of surgery, from 190+/-72 g/m(2) at baseline to 152+/-47 g/m(2) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In an elderly population with a high incidence of coronary artery disease, the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve offers excellent hemodynamics, resulting in significant regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, together with acceptable operation times, morbidity and mortality in the medium term.     

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy in a patient with prosthetic aortic valve.

Patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease who have undergone valve surgery may present later with progression of disease in other valves. We report a case of successful percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) in a 58-year-old male who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a No. 23 Bj?rk-Shiley valve for severe rheumatic aortic regurgitation in 1982. At AVR, echocardiography revealed mild mitral stenosis (MS) and mitral valve area (MVA) 2.5 cm2. Over 18 years, the mitral valve disease progressed to severe MS and the patient presented with class III exertional dyspnea. He underwent successful PTMC (Inoue balloon technique). Post-procedure echocardiography revealed a MVA of 2.0cm2 and grade II mitral regurgitation. Anticoagulation management, infective endocarditis prophylaxis and procedural modifications are discussed.     

Evidence for rheumatic valve disease in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation long after mitral valve surgery: the role of 3D echo reconstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Although severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a well-recognized, long-term complication of rheumatic mitral valve replacement that impairs the functional results of surgery, its exact basis remains unclear and its management is unsatisfactory. The study aim was to obtain a detailed assessment of tricuspid valve morphology and function using 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with 3D reconstruction, and to determine long-term clinical outcome in patients after surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease. METHODS: A total of 42 patients (mean age 50 +/- 10 years) was followed up; 39 patients had mitral replacement and three had valvotomy. Thirty patients had developed impaired exercise tolerance, fluid retention and echocardiographic evidence of severe TR at 8.2 +/- 2.6 years after surgery; the remainder had mild regurgitation. RESULTS: Follow up showed greater mortality in the severe TR group, with approximately 50% survival at 60 months after diagnosis compared with mild TR. None of the patients with severe TR had a dysfunctional mitral prosthesis. In these patients, transthoracic echo-Doppler showed enlarged right atrium and right ventricle, a mean transtricuspid retrograde pressure drop of 15 +/- 4 mmHg and apparently normal leaflet anatomy. Twenty patients (15 with severe TR) underwent a TEE and 3D reconstruction study for further evaluation. Abnormal leaflet anatomy was demonstrated in all patients with severe TR, with restricted leaflet motion in 10, leaflet shortening and thickening in the remainder, and dilatation of tricuspid valve annular insertion suggestive of rheumatic involvement. Although diastolic transtricuspid velocities were increased (peak flow 0.8 +/- 0.1 m/s) in these patients due to increased stroke volume, significant tricuspid stenosis was present in only two cases (mean gradient 4 and 3 mmHg respectively). Histopathology confirmed the presence of leaflet vascularization and extensive fibrosis in two patients who underwent tricuspid valve replacement. CONCLUSION: Rheumatic leaflet involvement contributes to severe TR occurring long after mitral valve replacement, though overt stenosis is uncommon. Knowledge of the structural basis of this condition may thus improve its long-term management, possibly with early tricuspid valve repair.     

Progression of isolated tricuspid regurgitation late after mitral valve surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may develop late after mitral valve surgery without significant mitral stenosis, regurgitation and other causes of left heart failure. The study aim was to investigate severe isolated TR late after mitral valve surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease. METHODS: A total of 208 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery (valve replacement in 121, commissurotomy in 62, valvuloplasty in 25) was investigated. The mean (+/-SD) follow up was 13+/-6 years. Severe isolated TR was defined clinically by elevated venous pressure, and echocardiographically by grade 4+ TR without significant mitral stenosis, regurgitation, other causes of left heart failure, pulmonary hypertension or rheumatic tricuspid valve. RESULTS: Severe isolated TR was identified in 30 patients (14%) at four to 24 years after mitral valve surgery. All patients had atrial fibrillation. Of these patients, 23 had medical treatment and seven had tricuspid valve surgery. Three of the medically treated patients were in NYHA class IV and died from multiple organ failure at three to seven years after severe TR was diagnosed. Among surgically treated patients, four were in NYHA class IV and had postoperative complications (one early death, one late death), while three NYHA class II/III patients had very few postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Severe isolated TR was detected in 14% of patients after mitral valve surgery. It is important to detect patients with progressive heart failure and to indicate earlier reoperation in order to prevent significant late mortality.     

Aortic valve replacement in patients 70 years and older

BACKGROUND: Aortic valvular disease is the most common valvular lesion among elderly patients. Because of changing demographics, it has become increasingly frequent. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the only effective treatment for aortic valvular disease. HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to evaluate the results of AVR in an elderly population. METHODS: Data were retrospectively analyzed in 117 consecutive patients (mean age 73.8 years) who underwent AVR between 1991 and 2002. RESULTS: Pure or predominant severe aortic stenosis was present in 108 patients. Nine patients had severe aortic regurgitation. Before valve replacement, 62.4% of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III-IV. A bioprosthesis was implanted in 62.4% of the patients, and 37.6% received a mechanical valve. Concomitant cardiac surgical procedures were performed in 25 patients (coronary artery bypass graft in 22, mitral valve replacement in 3). There were 17 deaths, giving a perioperative mortality rate of 14.5%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that repeat surgery for bleeding, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, postoperative respiratory failure, and postoperative acute renal insufficiency were significant independent predictors of operative mortality. Of the 100 hospital survivors, 78 were followed for a mean of 42.9 months. There were six deaths during follow-up; only two of these were cardiac related. Five-year actuarial survival for all patients and for hospital survivors were 70 and 91.1%, respectively. One year post surgery, all patients were in NYHA functional class I-II. CONCLUSION: In a selected patient population, AVR in the elderly is associated with acceptable mortality and morbidity. The outlook for hospital operative survivors is excellent with improved quality of life and an expected survival normal for this particular age.