Repeat open intracardiac operation--analysis of 55 patients.

Of the 4170 open intracardiac operations performed at our hospital in the last 6 years, 55 (1.3%) were reoperations. Of these failed valve repairs or valve substitutes formed the major group (58%) and the interval between first and second operation ranged from 6 months to 8 years. There were 4 deaths on table and another 6 patients died during their hospital stay giving an early mortality rate of 18 per cent. There was one late death during a follow-up period of 1 month to 3 years. There was no death due to perioperative bleeding complications. We conclude that it should now be possible to perform reoperations with an acceptable mortality and good late functional results.