ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the specific conditions and pitfalls of immediate assessment of the reconstructed mitral valve in open chest patients. Sixty-two patients had a mitral reconstruction controlled by transoesophageal echocardiography and colour Doppler (TEE) from the moment when cardiac activity restarted under extracorporeal circulation (ECC), until complete rewarming of the patient and weaning off the by-pass. The following conditions altered the imaging quality: (1) dried probe in the oesophagus or air bubbles, (2) non-aspirated air from the stomach, (3) small or empty left atria, (4) invagination of the left atrial appendage, (5) trapped air in the posterior pericardium, (6) spontaneous contrast. Transient mitral regurgitation disappeared completely in 12/62 patients: five had temporary impairment of LV function, two had reduced filling of the heart, one had left ventricular outflow obstruction exacerbated by isoproterenol and nitroglycerin, two had ventricular ectopic rhythms, and two epicardial pacing. Only one of the 62 patients had persistent significant MR which required a second run of ECC. We conclude that mitral regurgitation after mitral valve repair is closely related to the quality of LV function. A decision to reoperate should eliminate the possible pitfalls, and take into consideration the specific conditions of immediate postoperative cardiac function.
