Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and management experiences of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after mitral valve surgery. Methods Thirty patients were followed up and reviewed for this report. There were 1 male and 29 female patients whose ages ranged from 32 to 65 years (47.1±92 years). A total of 28 patients had atrial fibrillation and 2 patients were in sinus rhythm. There were 13 patients of mild TR, 10 patients of moderate TR and 7 patients of severe TR at the first mitral valve surgery. Five patients received the tricuspid annuloplasty of De Vega procedure at the same time, 2 patients received Kay procedure. The predominant presentation of patients included: abdominal discomfort (93.3%, 28/30), edema (66.7%,20/30), palpitation (56.7%, 17/30), and ascites (20%, 6/30). Results Nine patients underwent the secondary surgery for severe TR. The secondary surgery included tricuspid valve replacement (6 cases), mitral and tricuspid valve replacement (2 cases) and Kay procedure (1 case). Eight patients were recovered and discharged and 1 patient died from the bleeding of right atrial incision and low output syndrome. Twentyone patients received medical management and were followed up. One case was lost during followup. Conclusion Surgery or medical management should be based on the clinical characteristics of patients with severe TR after mitral valve surgery. It should be based on the features of tricuspid valve and the clinical experience of surgeon to perform tricuspid annuloplasty or replacement.
ObjectiveTo compare clinical results of different anticoagulation methods for patients with large left atrium in the early period after mitral valve replacement (MVR) in order to optimize anticoagulation therapy for them. MethodsA total of 144 patients with large left atrium who underwent MVR in Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College from January 2012 to September 2013 were included in this study. There were 76 male and 68 female patients with their age of 36-60 (47.4±7.0) years. All the patients were divided into 2 groups according to different anticoagulation methods after MVR. Group A patients received warfarin anticoagulation since the 2nd postoperative day. Group B patients received warfarin and aspirin (0.1 g daily) since the 2nd postoperative day. Morbidity and mortality during follow-up were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsInternational normalized ratio (INR) was 2.03±0.11 in group A and 2.01±0.11 in group B,and there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (t=0.804,P>0.05). Twenty patients (13.9%) had hemorrhagic complications. There was no statistical difference in INR between patients with hemorrhagic complications in group A and B (t=0.496,P>0. 05) and there was no statistical difference in hemorrhagic rate between group A and B(P>0. 05). There was no thromboembolic complication in group B,and 9 patients (6.3%) in group A had thromboembolic complications. Three patients (2%) died of intracranial hemorrhage in group A during follow-up. Two patients died in group B,including 1 patient with recurrent pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade who died 60 days after surgery,and another patient who died of unknown reason during follow-up. ConclusionFor MVR patients with large left atrium,anticoagulation with warfarin and aspirin can significantly decrease the incidence of thromboembolic complications but does not increase the incidence of hemorrhagic complications.
Objective To evaluate the right ventricular function of the patients 2 years after surgery by ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP). Method We finally identified 36 patients required MVR with tricuspid valve annular dilation concomitant merely mild tricuspid regurgitaion (TR) based on preoperative UCG in our hospital between April and November 2012 year. All patients were randomly divided into two groups by digital table including a tricuspid annuloplasty group (a TAP group, n=18, 7 males and 11 females at age of 45.67±12.49 years) and a no-tricuspid annuloplasty group (a NTAP group, n=18, 6 males and 12 females at age of 45.44±10.48 years). General clinical data and extracorporeal circulation data were recorded. UCG evaluation was practiced preoperation, alone with 1 week, 6 months, and 2 years after surgery. Results Two years postoperative maximal long-axis of RA (RAmla), mid-RA minor distance (RAmmd), right ventricle dimension-1(RVD1) , right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), 3D RV end-systolic volume (3DRVESV), tricuspid valve annular end-diastolic dimension (TVAEDD), tricuspid valve annular end-systolic dimension (TVAESD) of patients were all smaller in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group. Yet right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), percent shorting of tricuspid valve annulus (PSTVA) were greater in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group, although there was no statistical difference between the two groups in two years postoperative 3D RV end-diastolic volume (3DRVEDV). The patients in the TAP group had a superior trend than that of the NTAP group. Moreover, the patients' TR constituent ratio in the TAP group was much better than that of the NTAP group in 2 year after operation. Conclusions Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent MVR is favorable for the recovery of their 2 years postoperative function of tricuspid valve and right ventricle. It is benefit to reduce patient's long term postoperative TR residues and exacerbation.
Abstract: Objective To observe the longterm condition of patients after mitral valve replacement with or without mild aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and discuss whether treatment of AR is necessary during the course of mitral valve replacement. Methods From March 1999 to April 2004, 88 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (with or without mild AR before surgery) in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were followed up for 5 years or more. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had mild AR based on the result of preoperative echocardiography examination. In the AR group, there were 35 patients including 7 males and 28 females aged 49.26±11.87. By the New York Heart Association (NYHA) grading system before surgery, 4 patients were classified as Class Ⅱ, 26 Class Ⅲ and 5 Class Ⅳ. In the nonAR group, there were 53 patients including 7 males and 46 females aged 48.59±10.22. Using the NYHA grading system before surgery, we found there were 7 patients with Class Ⅱ cardiac function, 39 Class Ⅲ and 7 Class Ⅳ. After operation, all patients were followed up regularly and 5 years after surgery, patients were examined by echocardiography again. Results The followup period ranged from 5 to 9 years (6.39±1.26). There was no statistical difference in gender (P=0.394), age (P=0.841), preoperative cardiac function (P=0.960) and cardiac rhythm (P=0.732) between the two groups. For the AR group, after operation, NYHA heart function, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricle fraction shortening (LVFS) significantly increased or improved(Plt;0.05). In the nonAR group, after operation, NYHA heart function and LVEF significantly improved (Plt;0.05), while LVFS had no significant change (Pgt;0.05). Left [CM(159mm]ventricular dimensions (LVD) and aortic dimensions between the two groups had no significant difference afteroperation (Pgt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of AR cases before and after surgery (Pgt;005) in the AR group, while there was a significant difference in the nonAR group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion For patients with mild AR who underwent mitral valve surgery 5 to 9 years ago, there is little change in their AR condition. There is no need to treat mild AR preventively during the course of mitral valve replacement.
Objective To evaluate long-term clinical results in patients who underwent mitral valve replacement and suture tricuspid annuloplasty. Methods We included 401 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement and suture tricuspid annuloplasty in our hospital between January 2006 and March 2011. There were 309 females and 92 males at age of 17-71 (46.2±12.0) years. All patients were investigated by echocardiography at postoperative 5 years. The tricuspid valve procedures consisted of bicuspidization, modified Kay annuloplasty and leaflet repair according to the actual conditions. Results The patients were followed up for 5–10 (7.4±1.4) years. As compared with preoperation, the right atrium (RA, 7.6±13.0 mm vs. 49.3±13.2 mm), right ventrium (RV, 23.2±4.7 mm vs. 22.0±3.6 mm), left atrium (LA, 59.7±19.0 mm vs. 53.6±14.7 mm, left ventrium (LV, 49.3±8.6 mm vs. 47.7±6.2 mm), tricuspid of end-distolic diameters (TEDD, 35.9±5.7 mm vs. 32.8±5.9 mm) and tricuspid of end-systolic diameters (TESD, 9.4±5.7 mm vs. 26.5±4.9 mm) of patients decreased significantly at postoperation (P<0.01). As compared with preoperation, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 60.3%±8.9% vs. 61.7%±8.3%) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS, 32.6%±6.3% vs. 33.8%±5.5%) raised significantly at postoperation (P<0.01). As compared with preoperation, the constituent rate of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) improved significantly at postoperation (P<0.01). Conclusion Tricuspid annuloplasty adopting TEDD as a surgical indication is reasonable for patients with mitral diseases. Combined and individualized suture tricuspid annuloplasty can obtain better long-term results. It is needed to order aggressive diuretics treatment for patients with postoperative TR.
Objective To compare clinical outcomes and safety between minimally invasive mitral valve replacement via right minithoracotomy （mini-MVR） and traditional mitral valve replacement （MVR）. Methods Clinical data of 68 patients with valvular heart diseases who underwent mini-MVR from February 2009 to December 2011 in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 36 males and 32 females in this mini-MVR group with their mean age of 34.2±11.2 years. Preoperatively， there were 21 patients with mitral stenosis （MS）， 17 patients with mitral insufficiency （MI）， 30 patients with MS and MI， and 19 patients with tricuspid insufficiency （TI）. Another 200 patients with valvular heart diseases who underwent traditional MVR during the same period were included as the control group. There were 86 males and 114 females in the control group with their mean age of 49.4±13.2 years. Preoperatively， there were 85 patients with MS， 66 patients with MI， 49 patients with MS and MI， and 76 patients with TI. Hospital mortality， aortic crossclamp time， length of intensive care unit （ICU） stay， postoperative chest tube drainage， reexploration for bleeding and postoperative morbidities were compared between the two groups. Results There was no in-hospital death in the mini-MVR group. There was no statistical difference in hospital mortality， cardiopulmonary bypass time， incidence of reexploration for bleeding， postoperative arrhythmias， dialysis-requiring acute renal failure and wound infection between the two group （P＞0.05）. Aortic crossclamp time of the mini-MVR group was significantly longer than that of the control group. But postoperative mechanical ventilation time （10.2±3.1 h vs. 15.2±7.1 h， P=0.008）， chest tube drainage（92.0±28.0 ml vs. 205.0±78.0 ml， P=0.000）， blood transfusion （0.8±1.6 U vs. 1.9±2.1 U， P=0.006）， length of ICU stay （14.0±8.0 h vs. 26.0±12.0 h， P=0.003） and length of hospital stay （14.8±4.6 d vs. 19.7±3.2 d， P=0.006）of the mini-MVR group were significantly shorter or less than those of the control group. Conclusion The safety of mini-MVR is comparable to that of traditional MVR without causing higher postoperative morbidities， while the postoperative recovery after mini-MVR is better than traditional MVR.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical results of homemade flexible annuloplasty ring in mitral valve repair, in order to discuss the appropriate ring size. Methods Sixtysix patients (55 males,and 11 females with a mean age of 44.62±15.94 years) with mitral insufficiency underwent mitral valve repair with homemade flexible annuloplasty ring from April 2002 to November 2009 in Fu Wai Hospital. In order to choose the ring with an appropriate size, we made and kept to the following principles: if the intercommissural distance was bigger than size 30, we chose a ring 2size smaller; if the measured distance was smaller than size 30, 1size smaller ring would be chosen. Patients were followed by echocardiography to observe the mitral valve function. Results All patients were cured and discharged from the hospital. The results of echocardiography showed mild to moderate regurgitation in 1 patient, mild regurgitation in 11 patients, and normal mitral function or trace regurgitation in the rest 54 patients. Mitral valve forward velocity was 1.40±0.30 m/s with no mitral stenosis or systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet. Fiftyone patients were followed up from 2 months to 7 years(24.60±25.90 months). The results of echocardiography on 38 patients showed that 1 patient had moderate regurgitation, 5 patients had mild to moderate regurgitation, 9 patients had mild regurgitation and others had normal mitral function or trace regurgitation. For these 38 patients included in the followup study, mitral valve forward velocity was 1.50±0.40 m/s with no mitral stenosis, SAM or left ventricular outlet tract obstruction. During the followup, the left atrium size (43.19±10.48 mm vs. 48.59±9.40 mm, t=4.524, P=0.000) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (52.64±7.35 mm vs. 6269±8.77 mm, t=7.607, P=0.000) decreased significantly than the preoperative size and diameter respectively. The application of restrictive homemade flexible annuloplasty ring in mitral valve annuloplasty had satisfactory, durable and stable clinical results.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical experience in the treatment of Carpentier's type Ⅲb ischemic mitral regurgitation through the mitral valve repair versus mitral valve replacement, and to evaluate the early and midlong term effects. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 308 consecutive patients with type Ⅲb ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with mitral valve repair (a repair group, n=172) or with mitral valve replacement (a replacement group, n=136) in our hospital between January 2000 and March 2014. Among the 308 patients, 215 were males and 93 were females with mean age of 62.7±11.5 years(ranged 30-78 years). In the repair group, 170 patients underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty (128 patients with total ring, 42 patients with C ring), and 2 patients underwent commissural constriction. In the replacement group, 11 patients underwent mechanical valve prosthesis and 125 patients underwent biological valve prosthesis. ResultsThe time of total aortic cross-clamp was 81.9±21.5 min. The time of total extracorporeal circulation was 122.0±31.3 min. Six patients died during the perioperative period. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in general information (P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in aortic cross-clamp time, total extracorporeal circulation time, numbers of bypass grafts and the usage rate of left internal mammary artery. The early result after the surgery showed that the incidence rates of low cardiac output and ventricular arrhythmia were significantly higher in the replacement group compared with those in the repair group. The patients were followed up for 1-85 months. No significant difference was revealed in the mid-long term survival rate between the two groups. The severity of mitral regurgitation and the rate of redo mitral valve replacement were significantly lower in the replacement group compared with those in the repair group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe early-term curative effect of valve repair is better than valve replacement for the treatment of Carpentier's type Ⅲb ischemic mitral regurgitation. In mid-long term, Chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement remains a low incidence of valve-related complications compared with mitral valve repair.
ObjectiveTo explore the result of of modified artificial chordae technique and annuloplasty in mitral valvuloplasty for mitral leaflet prolapse. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 112 patients underwent mitral valve repair with artificial chordae (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, ePTFE) and annuloplasty in our hospital from January 2006 through June 2014.There were 69 males and 43 females at age of 5-73 (51.4±14.4) years.The double-armed ePTFE chordae was fixed at papillary muscle head using U shaped suture without pledget and passed through the prolapsing portion of leaflet twice.Then, annuloplasty was performed and correct chordal length was adjusted.After that, the chordae was passed through prolapsing scallop one more time and tied. ResultsAverage of 2.4±0.7 (range from 1 to 3) ePTFE artificial chordaes were implanted in each patient.Intra-operative transthoracic echocardiography showed no mitral regurgitation (MR) in 78 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 34 patients.At discharge, no MR was in 72 patients, trivial MR in 39 patients, and mild MR in 1 patient.At end of follow-up of 41.5±24.8 months, moderate MR was in 3 patients.The freedom from moderate or severe regurgitation at 5 years after mitral valve repair was 95.1%±3.0%. ConclusionThis modified artificial chordae technique and annuloplasty are safe, simple, and effective in mitral valvuloplasty for mitral leaflet prolapsed.And the early and long-term results are satisfactory.
Abstract: Objective To explore whether clinically mild functional tricuspid regurgitation should be addressed at the time of mitral valve repair (MVP) for moderate or severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 135 patients with moderate or severemitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration with mild functional tricuspid regurgitation. All patients were treated between January 1993 and March 2008 in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University. We divided the patients into a MVP group (n=76) and a MVP+tricuspid valvuloplasty (TVP) group(n=59) according to whether they underwent combined TVP, and observed the perioperative mortality rate, degree of tricuspid regurgitation, and compared survival rate, and freedom from longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation after operation. Cox regression was used to analyzethe risk factors for longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation after operations. Results (1) There were no deaths during the perioperative period, and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography of all patients indicated that tricuspid regurgitation was mild or less. (2) Survival rate at 5 years, 10 years after operations in MVP group was 98.4%, 95.0%, respectively, and survival rate at 5 years, 10 years after operations in MVP+TVP group was 100.0%, 93.7%, respectively, and there was no significant difference in the survival rate after operations between the two groups(P=0.311), butthere was a significant difference in the freedom from longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation after operations between the two groups (P=0.040). Multivariate Cox regression showed that preoperative pulmonary artery pressure gt;30 mm Hg (95%CI 1.127 to 137.487, P=0.040 )and atrial fibrillation (95%CI 1.177 to 23.378, P=0.030) wereindependent risk factors for longterm moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation afteroperations.Conclusion TVP is necessary for most patients undergoing MVP for moderate or severe mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration who have coexistent mild functional tricuspid regurgitation, especially those patients with preoperative pulmonary artery pressure gt;30 mm Hg or atrial fibrillation.