Surgical patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery.

Isolated ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is rare, occurring in <1% of the patients undergoing coronary angiography. Surgical patch angioplasty (SPA) offers an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in such cases and is advantageous in restoring more physiological myocardial perfusion, maintaining ostial patency and preserving conduit material. However, a number of early technical failures and high perioperative mortality have limited the generalized uptake of this procedure, and only recently have advances in myocardial protection and novel surgical approaches to the LMCA resulted in a resurgence of the technique. A systematic literature search identified 45 studies incorporating 478 patients undergoing SPA. A variety of patch materials were used, including the pericardium, saphenous vein and internal mammary and pulmonary arteries. Patients were followed up for a mean of 54.4 months. The 30-day mortality was 1.7% and cardiac specific mortality 3.3% at last follow-up. Encouragingly, 92.4% of reported cases (n = 182) showed complete angiographic patency at last follow-up. Our results indicate that SPA may be a viable alternative to CABG in the surgical management of isolated ostial LMCA stenosis. However, no randomized trials have been performed, and it is clear that careful patient selection is essential in minimizing morbidity and mortality in the short- and long-term. Further research is required to allow a direct comparison of SPA to techniques with a more substantial evidence base such as CABG and percutaneous coronary intervention, and to define the optimal patch graft material, elucidating that any beneficial effects arterial patches may have on long-term patency.

Management of mitral regurgitation during left ventricular reconstruction for ischemic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) in ischemic cardiomyopathy frequently leads to functional mitral regurgitation (MR). The indication for correcting MR in patients undergoing LV reconstruction (LVR) is unclear. In this study, we evaluated our strategy of correcting MR≥grade 2+ by restrictive mitral annuloplasty (RMA) during LVR. METHODS: We studied 92 consecutive patients (76 men, mean age 61±10 years) who underwent LVR for ischemic heart failure (IHF). RMA was performed in all patients with MR≥grade 2+ on preoperative echocardiography and in patients who showed increased MR to ≥grade 2+ immediately after LVR. Patients were attributed to a RMA and no-RMA group, depending on whether or not concomitant RMA had been performed. Mean clinical and structured echocardiographic follow-up was 47±20 months and was 100% complete. RESULTS: In 38 out of 40 patients (95%) with preoperative MR≥grade 2+, concomitant RMA was planned and performed. In 17 out of 52 patients (33%) with MR

Cardiac support device, restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty, and optimized medical treatment: a multimodality approach to nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with functional mitral regurgitation carries a poor prognosis. Mitral valve surgery with implantation of a cardiac support device can treat mitral regurgitation and promote left ventricular reverse remodeling. This observational study evaluates clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of an individualized medico-surgical approach, focusing on mitral regurgitation recurrence and left ventricular reverse remodeling. METHODS: Sixty-nine consecutive patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association class III/IV) with functional mitral regurgitation (grade 3+/4+) and left ventricular remodeling (end-diastolic volume 227 ± 73 mL, ejection fraction 26% ± 8%) underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty (median ring size 26), with (n = 41) or without (n = 28) a cardiac support device and optimal postoperative medical treatment. Patients were clinically and echocardiographically evaluated at up to 3.1 years' median follow-up. RESULTS: Early mortality was 5.8%. Actuarial survival at 1, 2, and 5 years was 86% ± 4%, 79% ± 5%, and 63% ± 7%. New York Heart Association class improved from 3.1 ± 0.4 to 2.0 ± 0.5 (P < .01). Cardiac support device implantation in addition to mitral valve surgery, applied in patients with more advanced left ventricular remodeling, resulted in similar clinical outcome, greater left ventricular end-diastolic volume decrease (33% vs 18%; P = .007), and in a trend toward less recurrent mitral regurgitation of grade 2+ or more (actuarial freedom at 3 years 89% ± 8% vs 63% ± 11%; P = .067). CONCLUSIONS: An individualized medico-surgical approach to nonischemic cardiomyopathy combining restrictive mitral annuloplasty, cardiac support device implantation, and optimal medical management leads to favorable survival and improved functional status, low incidence of significant recurrent mitral regurgitation, and sustained left ventricular reverse remodeling.

Tranexamic acid and aprotinin in low- and intermediate-risk cardiac surgery: a non-sponsored, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Tranexamic acid has been suggested to be as effective as aprotinin in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements after cardiac surgery. Previous studies directly comparing both antifibrinolytics focus on high-risk cardiac surgery patients only or suffer from methodological problems. We wanted to compare the effectiveness of tranexamic acid versus aprotinin in reducing postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in the patient group representing the majority of cardiac surgery patients: low- and intermediate-risk patients. METHODS: We conducted a non-sponsored, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in which 298 patients scheduled for low- or intermediate-risk (mean logistic EuroSCORE 4.1) first-time heart surgery with use of cardiopulmonary bypass were randomised to receive either tranexamic acid, high-dose aprotinin, or placebo. All patients had preoperative normal renal function. End points of the study were monitored from the time of surgery until patient discharge. This trial was executed between June 2004 and October 2006. RESULTS: Both antifibrinolytics significantly reduced blood loss and transfusion requirements when compared with placebo. Aprotinin was about twice as effective as tranexamic acid in reducing total postoperative blood loss (estimated median difference 155 ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) 60-260; p < 0.001). Accordingly, aprotinin reduced packed red blood cell transfusions more than tranexamic acid, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Only aprotinin significantly reduced the proportion of transfused patients when compared with placebo (mean difference -20.9%, 95% CI 7.3-33.5; p = 0.013), and only aprotinin completely abolished bleeding-related re-explorations (mean difference 6.8%, 95% CI 1.6-13.4%; p = 0.004). Neither antifibrinolytic agent increased the incidence of mortality (mean difference tranexamic acid -0.4%, 95% CI -4.6 to 4.4; p = 0.79, mean difference aprotinin -1.3%, 95% CI -6.2 to 3.5; p = 0.62) or other serious adverse events when compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Aprotinin has clinically significant advantages over tranexamic acid in patients with normal renal function scheduled for low- or intermediate-risk cardiac surgery.

Wall motion score index predicts mortality and functional result after surgical ventricular restoration for advanced ischemic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced ischemic heart failure can be treated with surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). While numerous risk factors for mortality and recurrent heart failure have been identified, no plain predictor for identifying SVR patients with left ventricular damage beyond recovery is yet available. We tested echocardiographic wall motion score index (WMSI) as a predictor for mortality or poor functional result. METHODS: One hundred and one patients electively operated between April 2002 and April 2007 were included for analysis. All patients had advanced ischemic heart failure (NYHA-class>or=III and LVEFor=III) at 1-year follow-up were identified by univariable logistic regression analysis. Preoperatively, a 16-segment echocardiographic WMSI was calculated and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify cut-off values for WMSI in predicting poor outcome. RESULTS: Early mortality was 9.9%, late mortality 6.6%. NYHA class improved from 3.2+/-0.4 to 1.5+/-0.7. At 1-year follow-up, 10 patients (12%) were in NYHA class III and the remaining patients were in NYHA class I or II (75 patients, 88%). WMSI was found to be the only statistically significant predictor for poor outcome (odds ratio 139, 95% confidence interval (CI) 17-1116, p<0.0001). The optimal cut-off value for WMSI in predicting mortality or poor functional result was 2.19 with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% (95% CI 81.5-82.5% and 81.4-82.6%). The area under the curve was 0.94 (95% CI 0.90-0.99). Positive and negative predictive values were 67% and 92% respectively (95% CI 66.4-67.6% and 91.4-92.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient residual remote myocardium is necessary to recover from a SVR procedure and to translate the surgically induced morphological changes into a functional improvement. Preoperative WMSI is a surrogate measure of residual remote myocardial function and is a promising tool for better patient selection to improve results after SVR procedures for advanced ischemic heart failure.

Early and late outcome of left ventricular reconstruction surgery in ischemic heart disease.

A systematic review of the literature was performed to determine early and late mortality associated with left ventricular (LV) reconstruction surgery and to assess the influence of different surgical techniques, concomitant surgical procedures, clinical and hemodynamic parameters on mortality. The MEDLINE database (January 1980-January 2005) was searched and from the pooled data, hospital mortality and survival were calculated. Summary estimates of relative risks (RR) were calculated for the techniques that were used and for concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral valve surgery. The risk-adjusted relationships between mortality and clinical and hemodynamic parameters were assessed by meta-regression. A total of 62 studies (12,331 patients) were identified. Weighted average early mortality was 6.9%. Cumulative 1-year, 5-year and 10-year survival were 88.5%, 71.5% and 53.9%, respectively. Endoventricular reconstruction (EVR) showed a reduced risk for both early (RR=0.79, p<0.005) and late (RR=0.67, p<0.001) mortality compared to the linear repair (early: RR=1.38, p<0.001; late: RR=1.83, p<0.001). Early and late mortality were mainly cardiac in origin, with as predominant cause heart failure in respectively 49.7% and 34.5% of the cases. Ventricular arrhythmias caused 16.6% of early deaths and 17.2% of late deaths. Concomitant CABG significantly decreased late mortality (RR=0.28, p<0.001) without increasing early mortality (RR=1.018, p=0.858). Concomitant mitral valve surgery showed both an increased risk for early (RR=1.57, p=0.001) and late mortality (RR=4.28, p<0.001). No clinical or hemodynamic parameters were found to influence mortality. It is noteworthy that only one third of patients included in the current analysis were operated for heart failure (14 studies, 4135 patients). In this group we noted an early mortality of 11.0% with a late mortality (3-year) of 15.2%. This analysis of pooled literature data showed that LV reconstruction surgery is performed with acceptable mortality and EVR may be the preferred technique with a reduced risk for early and late mortality. Concomitant CABG improved outcome, whereas the need for mitral valve surgery appeared an index of gravity. No clinical or hemodynamic parameters were found to influence mortality; specifically LV ejection fraction and LV volumes both did not predict outcome.

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of reverse left ventricular remodeling late after restrictive mitral annuloplasty in early stages of dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate left ventricular reverse remodeling at long-term follow-up (3-4 years) after restrictive mitral annuloplasty in patients with early stages of nonischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy, and severe mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Twenty-two selected patients (eligible to undergo magnetic resonance imaging) with mild to moderate heart failure (mean New York Heart Association class 2.2 +/- 0.4), dilated cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction 37% +/- 5%, left ventricular end-diastolic volume 215 +/- 34 mL), and severe mitral regurgitation (grade 3-4+) underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 1 week before surgery and repeated after 3 to 4 years. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality or major morbidity. Two patients died during follow-up (9%), and 2 patients could not undergo repeat magnetic resonance imaging because of comorbidity. New York Heart Association class improved from 2.2 +/- 0.4 to 1.2 +/- 0.4 (P < .05). Mitral regurgitation was minimal at late echocardiographic follow-up. There were significant decreases in indexed (to body surface area) left atrial end-systolic volume (from 84 +/- 20 mL/m(2) to 68 +/- 12 mL/m(2), P < .01), left ventricular end-systolic volume (from 42 +/- 14 mL/m(2) to 31 +/- 12 mL/m(2), P < .01), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (from 110 +/- 18 mL/m(2) to 80 +/- 17 mL/m(2), P < .01), and left ventricular mass (from 76 +/- 21 g/m(2) to 66 +/- 12 g/m(2), P = .03). Forward left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 37% +/- 5% to 55% +/- 10% (P < .01). Indexed left atrial end-diastolic volume did not show a significant decrease (from 48 +/- 16 mL/m(2) to 44 +/- 10 mL/m(2), P = .15). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging confirms sustained significant reverse left atrial and ventricular remodeling at late (3-4 years) follow-up in patients with nonischemic, dilated cardiomyopathy, and mild to moderate heart failure after restrictive mitral annuloplasty.

Restrictive mitral annuloplasty cures ischemic mitral regurgitation and heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Restrictive mitral annuloplasty with revascularization is considered the best approach to ischemic mitral regurgitation with heart failure, but late results are controversial. We report late outcome in relation to preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) cutoff values, previously identified to predict intermediate-term left ventricular reverse remodeling. METHODS: One hundred consecutive ischemic mitral regurgitation patients underwent restrictive mitral annuloplasty (stringent downsizing by two ring sizes; median size, 26) and coronary revascularization. Survivors were clinically and echocardiographically assessed at intermediate (18 months) and late (mean, 46 months) follow-up. RESULTS: Early mortality was 8%, and late mortality was 18%. Actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 87% +/- 3.4%, 80% +/- 4.1%, and 71% +/- 5.1%. Mortality predictors (Cox regression) were preoperative inotropic support (hazard ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.3 to 16.9) and preoperative LVEDD greater than 65 mm (hazard ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 10.9). Five-year survival rate for patients with LVEDD of 65 mm or less was 80% +/- 5.2%, versus 49% +/- 11% for LVEDD greater than 65 mm (p = 0.002). At 4.3 years' follow-up, New York Heart Association functional class had improved from 2.9 +/- 0.8 to 1.6 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.01). Mitral regurgitation grade was 0.8 +/- 0.7, and was less than grade 2+ in 85% of patients. Left ventricular reverse remodeling was sustained with time for the LVEDD of 65 mm or less group. Late deaths did not show intermediate-term systolic left ventricular reverse remodeling, indicating a more extensive intrinsic left ventricular abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: At 4.3 years' follow-up, intermediate-term cutoff values for left ventricular reverse remodeling proved to be predictors for late mortality. For patients with preoperative LVEDD of 65 mm or less, restrictive mitral annuloplasty with revascularization provides a cure for ischemic mitral regurgitation and heart failure; however, when LVEDD exceeds 65 mm, outcome is poor and a ventricular approach should be considered.

Diaphragm plication in adult patients with diaphragm paralysis leads to long-term improvement of pulmonary function and level of dyspnea.

OBJECTIVE: There is still controversy about the feasibility and long-term outcome of surgical treatment of acquired diaphragm paralysis. We analyzed the long-term effects on pulmonary function and level of dyspnea after unilateral or bilateral diaphragm plication. METHODS: Between December 1996 and January 2006, 22 consecutive patients underwent diaphragm plication. Before surgery, spirometry in both seated and supine positions and a Baseline Dyspnea Index were assessed. The uncut diaphragm was plicated as tight as possible through a limited lateral thoracotomy. Patients with a follow-up exceeding 1 year (n=17) were invited for repeat spirometry and assessment of changes in dyspnea level using the Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 4.9 years (range 1.2-8.7). All spirometry variables showed significant improvement. Mean vital capacity (VC) in seated position improved from 70% (of predicted value) to 79% (p<00.03), and in supine position from 54% to 73% (p=0.03). Forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) in supine position improved from 45% to 63% (p=0.02). Before surgery the mean decline in VC changing from seated to supine position was 32%. At follow-up this had improved to 9% (p=0.004). For FEV1 these values were 35% and 17%, respectively (p<0.02). TDI showed remarkable improvement of dyspnea (mean+5.69 points on a scale of -9 to +9). CONCLUSION: Diaphragm plication for single- or double-sided diaphragm paralysis provides excellent long-term results. Most patients were severely disabled before surgery but could return to a more or less normal way of life afterwards.

Mitral valve repair and replacement in endocarditis: a systematic review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Several observational studies have suggested a superior survival after mitral valve repair compared with replacement in patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis. The objective of this study was to systematically review the rate of morbidity and mortality associated with mitral valve repair or replacement in infective endocarditis. METHODS: A Medline search was conducted for literature and a systematic review of 24 studies, reporting prognosis of patients who underwent surgery for mitral valve endocarditis, was performed. Information on the patients, type of surgery, and follow-up was abstracted using standardized protocols. RESULTS: A total of 470 patients (39%) underwent mitral valve repair and 724 patients (61%) underwent valve replacement. Lower in-hospital mortality (2.3% versus 14.4%, relative risk: 0.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.09 to 0.30, p < 0.0001) and long-term mortality (7.8% versus 40.5%, relative risk: 0.19, 95% confidence interval: 0.13 to 0.29, p < 0.0001) were observed among patients undergoing mitral valve repair compared with replacement. In addition, the rates of early reoperation (2.2% versus 12.7%, p < 0.0001), early cerebrovascular events (4.7% versus 11.5%, p = 0.045), late reoperation (4.7% versus 8.7%, p = 0.039), late recurrent endocarditis (1.8% versus 7.3%, p = 0.0013), and late cerebrovascular events (1.6% versus 24.4%, p < 0.0001) were significantly lower after mitral valve repair. Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that mitral valve repair over replacement was associated with a better early and late prognosis after surgery. Male sex and acute surgery were (nonsignificantly) predictive of worse early outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic review of literature showed that mitral valve repair is associated with good clinical in-hospital and long-term results among patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis.

Plasma natriuretic peptide levels reflect changes in heart failure symptoms, left ventricular size and function after surgical mitral valve repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with heart failure. The present prospective study was designed to assess whether changes in NT-proBNP levels after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial size, left ventricular size and left ventricular function. METHODS: The study population consisted of 22 patients (mean age: 62.8 +/- 14.2 years, 68% male) undergoing surgical mitral valve repair. Serial NT-proBNP measurements, transthoracic echocardiography and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class assessment were performed before and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful mitral valve repair and no patients died during follow-up. The decrease in NT-proBNP level was associated with the reduction in left atrial dimension (r = 0.72, P < 0.001), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (r = 0.63, P = 0.002), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (r = 0.46, P = 0.031), and the increase in fractional shortening (r = - 0.63, P = 0.002). Finally, patients with decreasing NT-proBNP levels revealed a significant improvement in heart failure symptoms (NYHA class). CONCLUSION: Changes in NT-proBNP after surgical mitral valve repair reflect changes in heart failure symptoms and changes in left atrial and ventricular dimensions and function.

Degeneration of the pulmonary autograft: an explant study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the histologic features of pulmonary autografts explanted after the Ross operation. METHODS: Histologic sections of 30 explanted autografts and 8 normal heart valves were compared and semiquantitatively scored by a blinded cardiovascular pathologist. RESULTS: Pulmonary autografts (n = 30) were explanted on average 6.1 +/- 0.6 years (median, 6.6 years; range, 0.1-11.7 years) after the Ross operation (n = 28) or removed at autopsy (n = 2). Twelve (43%) of the patients undergoing reoperation had no or negligible autograft insufficiency on early transthoracic echocardiography, 12 (43%) had grade 1 autograft insufficiency, and 4 (14%) had grade 1-2 autograft insufficiency. Valve regurgitation with root dilatation was the most common indication for reoperation after root replacement (n = 26 [93%]) and regurgitation after subcoronary implanted autografts (n = 2 [7%]). Microscopy of the autograft explants revealed normal laminar architecture and cellularity. Wall specimens were characterized by reduced and fragmented elastin and increased collagen levels (fibrosis). Medial elastin changes were associated with the presence of hypertrophic smooth muscle cells. Fibrosis was most severe in the adventitia. Intimal thickening was a common finding. Valve explants showed significant thickening caused by fibrocellular tissue on the ventricular surface and marked thickening of the free margin. An autopsy explant with normal function before death showed similar features. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary autograft explants showed severe aneurysmal degeneration of the wall, which was characterized by intimal thickening, medial elastin fragmentation, and adventitial fibrosis. Valve leaflets were thickened. The presence of these features in a nonfailing explant suggests these changes represent a common mode of remodeling.

Beneficial hemodynamic and clinical effects of surgical ventricular restoration in patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical ventricular restoration is increasingly applied in patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Previous studies show promising results with regard to survival and clinical outcome. However, a comprehensive midterm analysis of this approach on left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular function is not yet available. We investigated biventricular function and clinical status at 6-month follow-up. METHODS: We investigated the effects of surgical ventricular restoration on clinical variables, LV volume, right ventricular reverse remodeling, LV dyssynchrony, tricuspid regurgitation, and pulmonary artery pressure in 21 patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (New York Heart Association class III or IV) who underwent surgical ventricular restoration and coronary artery bypass grafting. Additional surgery included mitral annuloplasty (n = 14) and tricuspid valve annuloplasty (n = 8). Clinical variables (New York Heart Association class, quality-of-life questionnaire, 6-minute hall-walk test) and echocardiographic variables were assessed at baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: At 6-month follow-up, all clinical variables were significantly improved. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 0.27 +/- 0.10 to 0.36 +/- 0.11 (p < 0.01), LV end-diastolic volume decreased from 248 +/- 78 mL to 152 +/- 50 mL (p < 0.001), and LV end-systolic volume decreased from 186 +/- 77 mL to 101 +/- 50 mL (p < 0.001). Left ventricular dyssynchrony decreased from 61 +/- 41 ms to 12 +/- 12 ms (p < 0.001). Right ventricular annular diameter decreased from 30 +/- 7 mm to 27 +/- 6 mm, right ventricular short-axis from 30 +/- 9 mm to 27 +/- 7 mm, and right ventricular long-axis from 90 +/- 7 mm to 79 +/- 10 mm (all p < 0.05). Finally, significant reductions in severity of tricuspid regurgitation (from 1.3 +/- 1.1 to 0.9 +/- 0.6; p = 0.001) and pulmonary artery pressure (42 +/- 11 mm Hg to 28 +/- 10 mm Hg; p = 0.015) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical ventricular restoration resulted in improvement of clinical variables, significant LV volume reduction, and reduced LV dyssynchrony at 6-month follow-up. In addition, right ventricular reverse remodeling was noted with reductions in tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary artery pressure.

Surgical ventricular restoration in patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: evaluation of systolic and diastolic ventricular function, wall stress, dyssynchrony, and mechanical efficiency by pressure-volume loops.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical ventricular restoration aims at improving cardiac function by normalization of left ventricular shape and size. Recent studies indicate that surgical ventricular restoration is highly effective with an excellent 5-year outcome in patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. We used pressure-volume analysis to investigate acute changes in systolic and diastolic left ventricular function, mechanical dyssynchrony and efficiency, and wall stress. METHODS: In 3 patient groups (total, n = 33), pressure-volume loops were measured by conductance catheter before and after surgery. The main study group consisted of 10 patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (New York Heart Association class III/IV, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%) who had surgical ventricular restoration and coronary artery bypass grafting. In this group, 7 patients had additional restrictive mitral annuloplasty. To assess potential confounding effects of restrictive mitral annuloplasty and cardiopulmonary bypass, we included a group of 10 patients (New York Heart Association class III/IV, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%) who had isolated restrictive mitral annuloplasty and a group of 13 patients with preserved left ventricular function who had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. RESULTS: After surgical ventricular restoration, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were reduced from 211 +/- 54 to 169 +/- 34 mL (P = .03) and from 147 +/- 41 to 110 +/- 59 mL (P = .04), respectively. Left ventricular ejection fraction (from 27% +/- 7% to 37% +/- 13%, P = .04) and end-systolic elastance (from 1.12 +/- 0.71 to 1.57 +/- 0.63 mm Hg/mL, P = .03) improved. Peak wall stress (from 358 +/- 108 to 244 +/- 79 mm Hg, P < .01) and mechanical dyssynchrony (from 26% +/- 4% to 19% +/- 6%, P < .01) were reduced, whereas mechanical efficiency improved (from 0.34 +/- 13 to 0.49 +/- 0.14, P = .03). End-diastolic pressure increased (from 13 +/- 6 to 20 +/- 5 mm Hg, P < .01), whereas the diastolic chamber stiffness constant tended to be increased (from 0.021 +/- 0.009 to 0.037 +/- 0.021 mL(-1), NS). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical ventricular restoration achieves normalization of left ventricular volumes and improves systolic function and mechanical efficiency by reducing left ventricular wall stress and mechanical dyssynchrony.