Impact of commissural calcification on clinical outcome of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty; a retrospective cohort study of 876 patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is the ACC/AHA class I recommendation for treating symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis with suitable valve morphology, less than moderate MR and absence of left atrium clot. The mitral valve restenosis and significant mitral regurgitation (MR) are known adverse outcomes of PBMV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of PBMV in patients with severe mitral stenosis and the effect of Commissural Calcification (CC) on the outcomes. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 876 patients who underwent PBMV were categorized into three groups based on their Wilkins score (Group I: score ≤ 8, Group II: score 9-10, and Group III: score 11-12). Patients were evaluated before, early after PBMV and at 6- and 24-month follow-ups. Main clinical outcomes were defined as significant restenosis and or symptomatic significant MR (moderate to severe and severe MR) or candidate for mitral valve replacement (MVR). The outcomes were compared between patients with and without CC. RESULTS: A total of 876 patients with mean age 46.4 ± 12.3 years (81.0% females) were categorized based on Wilkins score. 333 (38.0%) were in Group I, 501 (57.2%) were in Group II, and 42 (4.8%) were in Group III. CC was present in 175 (20.0%) of the patients, among whom 95 (54.3%) had calcification of the anterolateral commissure, 64 (36.6%) had calcification of the posteromedial commissure, and in 16 (9.1%) patients both commissures were calcified. There was a significant difference in Wilkins score between patients with and without CC (P < 0.001). CC was associated with higher odds of significant symptomatic MR at early and mid-term follow up (OR: 1.69, 95%CI 1.19-2.41, P = 0.003; and OR: 3.90, 95%CI 2.61-5.83, P < 0.001, respectively), but not with restenosis (P = 0.128). Wilkins Groups II and III did not show higher odds of significant symptomatic MR compared to Group I at early (II: P = 0.784; III: P = 0.098) and mid-term follow up (II: P = 0.216; III: P = 0.227). Patients in Wilkins Group II had higher odds of restenosis compared to Group I (OR: 2.96,95%CI: 1.35-6.27, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Commissural calcification (CC) is an independent predictor of the significant symptomatic MR (an important determinant of adverse outcome) following PBMV in the early and mid-term follow-up. Mitral valve restenosis occurs more in patients with higher Wilkins score compared to group I with score ≤ 8. Combined Wilkins score and CC should be considered for patient suitability for PBMV.

Controlled mitral valvuloplasty using steerable catheter- waist- formed balloon system: A clinical case series.

As the general population ages, the incidence of degenerative mitral stenosis (MS) among patients has increased. Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) has emerged as a well-established option for mitral rheumatic stenosis with specific characteristics. However, a blank therapeutic space must be filled with the treatment options for degenerative or rheumatic mitral stenosis in patients with many comorbidities and contraindication for valvuloplasty. We here present a comprehensive overview of the current possibilities, despite their scarce success. That is the reason why we propose a case series to facilitate a better understanding of our innovative technique in this challenging clinical context.

Balloon mitral valvuloplasty in low gradient severe rheumatic mitral stenosis: Immediate and short-term outcomes.

Background: Efficacy of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) in low gradient severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is not very well defined. This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of BMV in low gradient severe rheumatic MS. Methods: Severe MS was defined as mitral valve area < 1.5 cm2. Low gradient was defined as mean diastolic trans-mitral gradient (MG) < 10 mmHg and low flow as stroke volume index < 35 ml/m2 on echocardiography. Sixty patients were divided into normal-flow/low-gradient (NFLG) (40) and low-flow/low-gradient (LFLG) (20) groups. Post-BMV parameters were recorded after 72 h and at the end of one year. Results: Mean age was 36.2 ± 6.6 years in NFLG group and 40.6 ± 2.6 years in LFLG group (p < 0.01) and females were 75 % (n = 30) in NFLG group as compared to 60 % (n = 12) in LFLG group. Patients in the LFLG group had higher Wilkins score (p < 0.02) and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (n = 8, 40 %) as compared to NFLG group (n = 7, 17.5 %; p < 0.01). A greater decrease in MG was observed in NFLG group (p < 0.01), whereas increase in MVA was comparable in both the groups (p > 0.05). Ninety percent (n = 36) patients improved in NFLG group in comparison to 70 % (n = 14) in LFLG group (p < 0.01). At the end of one-year, symptomatic improvement persisted in all patients who became asymptomatic post-BMV. Conclusion: Symptomatic improvement following BMV was better seen in NFLG group because of greater decrease in MG in comparison to LFLG group. Results of BMV were suboptimal in LFLG group because of higher sub-valvular obstruction, increased age and higher prevalence of AF.

Optimizing Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis　- Clinical Significance of Changes in Mitral Valve Area.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is a standard treatment for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS). However, the prognostic significance of the change in mitral valve area (∆MVA) during PMV is not fully understood.Methods and Results: This study analyzed data from the Multicenter mitrAl STEnosis with Rheumatic etiology (MASTER) registry, which included 3,140 patients with severe RMS. We focused on patients with severe RMS undergoing their first PMV. Changes in echocardiographic parameters, including MVA quantified before and after PMV, and composite outcomes, including mitral valve reintervention, heart failure admission, stroke, and all-cause death, were evaluated. An optimal result was defined as a postprocedural MVA ≥1.5 cm2without mitral regurgitation greater than Grade II. Of the 308 patients included in the study, those with optimal results and ∆MVA >0.5 cm² had a better prognosis (log-rank P<0.001). Patients who achieved optimal results but with ∆MVA ≤0.5 cm² had a greater risk of composite outcomes than those with optimal outcomes and ∆MVA >0.5 cm² (nested Cox regression analysis, hazard ratio 2.27; 95% confidence interval 1.09-4.73; P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Achieving an increase in ∆MVA of >0.5 cm2was found to be correlated with improved outcomes. This suggests that, in addition to achieving traditional optimal results, targeting an increase in ∆MVA of >0.5 cm2could be a beneficial objective in PMV treatment for RMS.

Mitral valvuloplasty using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the structure of the mitral valve in patients undergoing mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE). The main objective was to study the relationship between intraoperative annuloplasty ring size and mitral valve structure dimensions, with a focus on exploring the application value of RT-3D-TEE in MVP. METHODS: A total of 28 patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR), who underwent MVP between February and September 2022, as well as 12 normal control cases, were enrolled in this study. The MV annulus and leaflets were quantitatively analyzed using MVN software. RESULTS: The DMR group exhibited significantly greater dimensions in various parameters of the mitral valve, including the anterolateral-to-posteromedial diameter (DAlPm ), anterior-to-posterior diameter (DAP ), annulus height (HA ), three-dimensional annulus circumference (CA3D ), two-dimensional annulus area (AA2D ), anterior leaflet area (Aant ), posterior leaflet area (Apost ), anterior leaflet length (Lant ), posterior leaflet length (Lpost ), and tenting volume (Vtent ) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography provides valuable insights into the morphological structure of the mitral valve and lesion location. It can aid in surgical decision-making, validate the success of MVP, and potentially reduce mortality and complications associated with mitral valve repair procedures.

Immediate, short-term, and long-term effects of balloon mitral valvuloplasty on the left atrial global longitudinal strain and its correlation to the outcomes in patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial global longitudinal strain (LA GLS) has been used as a new assessment tool for left atrial function. This article aims to investigate the effect of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) in patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis on LA GLS and its relation to the mitral valve area achieved after the procedure. The study included 95 patients with severe mitral stenosis who fulfilled the criteria for BMV (case group) and 80 normal healthy subjects (control group). All included participants underwent complete echocardiographic examinations. For the case group, LA GLS was assessed by 2D speckle-tracking Echocardiography before valvuloplasty, immediately after, within 24 h, at 6 months, and at 12 months, and the results were compared. RESULTS: The impaired left-atrium strain in patients with severe mitral stenosis was improved immediately after BMV, and the improvement continued at 6 and 12 months post-BMV (23.1% ± 4.2 vs. 36.0% ± 4.9, 36.2% ± 4.5, and 40.1% ± 9.5, respectively p < 0.01). After BMV, there was a significant decrease in left atrial volume (76.3 ± 12.4 ml/m2 vs. 68.6 ± 10.4 ml/m2, p < 0.01) and a significant increase in the area occupied by the mitral valve (1.02 ± 0.18 cm2 vs. 1.60 ± 0.31 cm, p < 0.01). The immediate LA GLS and the mitral valve area were positively correlated (r = 0.64, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the immediate LA GLS was associated with significantly improved function class (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: LA GLS can indicate left atrial (mainly reservoir) function. The improvement observed in patients after BMV may indicate that LA GLS can be used to evaluate the progress after BMV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Minia University (Registration No. MUFMIRB 324-4-2022). Institutional Review Board, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt. 324-4-2022, 24 18 April, 2022.

A Case of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy After Mitral Valvuloplasty.

We present a case of an 82-year-old male patient with a history of severe mitral regurgitation, severe aortic regurgitation, chronic atrial fibrillation, and suicide attempts due to depression. The patient underwent mitral valvuloplasty and aortic valve replacement for mitral valve regurgitation and aortic valve regurgitation. The patient was extubated on the morning of the sixth postoperative day, but he was reintubated in the evening because of hypotension and an unstable respiratory status. Echocardiography revealed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy development, and the patient was treated with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) implantation, which was removed on postoperative day 11.

Outcome for concomitant mitral regurgitation after surgery for aortic insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Moderate/severe aortic regurgitation (AR) with concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common multiple valve disease for which treatment strategies are controversial. The current study explored long-term outcomes of concomitant MR after AR surgery and the effect of combined mitral valvuloplasty. METHODS: A total of 506 patients with moderate/severe AR and concomitant MR undergoing aortic valve surgery between January 2013 and December 2021 in our cardiac center were enrolled. Risk factors for early mortality, late mortality and persistent MR were identified by logistic regression and generalized linear mixed model. RESULTS: At least one follow-up record was available for 96.3% patients up to May 2022 and 264 (66.8%) patients had no or trivial MR, 112 (28.4%) had mild MR, 16 (4.1%) had moderate MR and 3 (0.8%) patients had severe MR. Persistent MR was recorded for 92 (23.3%) patients during follow-up. Combined mitral valvuloplasty (odds ratio: 0.23; 95% confidential interval: 0.08-0.64; p = 0.005) and better left ventricular reverse remodeling (odds ratio: 0.99; 95% confidential interval: 0.986-0.996); p < 0.001) were found likely to reduce the possibility of persistent MR during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with moderate/severe AR and concomitant MR had a good long-term post-surgical outcome for MR. However, a few had persistent MR during follow-up. Combined mitral valvuloplasty and better left ventricular reverse remodeling reduced the possibility of long-term persistent MR.

Childbearing Performances and Outcomes of Female Patients with Rheumatic Mitral Valve Diseases after Different Mitral Interventions.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to illustrate how percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) and mitral valve (MV) surgeries influence women of childbearing age with rheumatic mitral valve diseases (RMVDs) from two aspects, including clinical outcomes and their postoperative childbearing performances. METHODS: Female patients with RMVD who were of childbearing age and underwent MV interventions between 2007 and 2019 at Beijing Anzhen Hospital were identified. Outcomes included all-cause deaths, repeated MV interventions, and atrial fibrillation. A survey about childbearing attempts and complications during pregnancy was also performed during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 379 patients were involved in this study, consisting of 226 cases of mitral valve replacements, 107 cases of mitral valve repairs (MVrs), and 46 cases of PBMVs. PBMV was associated with higher possibilities of repeated MV interventions (P <0.05). Postoperative childbearing attempts were more frequently observed among bioprosthesis, MVr, and PBMV (P <0.05). However, PBMV and MVr showed a higher incidence of cardiac complications during pregnancy as compared to prosthesis replacement (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MVr and PBMV are not recommended to young female patients for higher incidences of postoperative complications. Safe pregnancy is more likely to be present among patients with biological prosthesis.

Characteristics and immediate outcomes of patients who underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: For rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS), a multidisciplinary evaluation is mandatory to determine the optimal treatment: medical, percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) or valve surgery. Clinical and imaging evaluations are essential for procedural risk assessment and outcomes. PBMV interventions are increasingly available in Africa and are feasible options for selected candidates. Enhancing PBMV training/skills transfer across most of African countries is possible. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide insight into the clinical practice of patients with rheumatic MS evaluated for PBMV in a Tanzanian teaching hospital and to define the role of imaging, and evaluate the heart team and training/skills transfer in PBMV interventions. METHODS: From August 2019 to May 2022, 290 patients with rheumatic MS were recruited consecutively in the Tanzania Mitral Stenosis study. In total, 43 (14.8%) patients were initially evaluated for eligibility for PBMV by a heart team. We carried out the clinical assessment, laboratory investigations, transthoracic/oesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE) and electrocardiography. RESULTS: The median age was 31 years (range 11-68), and two-thirds of the patients were female (four diagnosed during pregnancy). Two patients had symptomatic MS at six and eight years. Nine patients had atrial fibrillation with left atrial thrombus in three, and two were detected by TEE. Nine patients in normal sinus rhythm had spontaneous echo contrast. The mean Wilkins score was 8.6 (range 8-12). With re-evaluation by the local and visiting team, 17 patients were found to have unfavourable characteristics: Bi-commissural calcification (four), ≥ grade 2/4 mitral regurgitation (six), high scores and left atrial thrombus (three), left atrial thrombus (two), and severe pulmonary hypertension (two). Three patients died before the planned PBMV. Eleven patients were on a waiting list. We performed PBMV in 12 patients, with success in 10 of these, and good short-term outcomes [mean pre-PBMV (16.03 ± 5.52 mmHg) and post-PBMV gradients (3.08 ± 0.44 mmHg, p < 0.001)]. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: PBMV had good outcomes for selected candidates. TEE is mandatory in pre-PBMV screening and for procedural guidance. In our cohort, patients with Wilkins score of up to 11 underwent successful PBMV. We encourage PBMV skills expansion in low- and middle-income countries, concentrating on expertise centres.

Left atrial size predicts long-term outcome after balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of choice for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis is balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV). Numerous predictors of immediate and long-term procedural success have been described. The aims of this study were to describe our experience with BMV over the last decade and to evaluate predictors of long-term event-free survival. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed of patients who underwent BMV between 2009 and 2021. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, mitral valve replacement (MVR), and repeat BMV. Long-term event-free survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Logistic regression was used to create a multivariate model to assess pre-procedural predictors of the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients underwent BMV during the study period. The primary outcome occurred in 36 patients during 12-year follow-up: one (1%) patient underwent re-BMV, 28 (29%) underwent MVR, and eight (8%) died. Overall, event-free survival was 62% at 12 years. On multivariate analysis, pre-procedural left atrial volume index (LAVI) > 80 mL/m2 had a significant independent influence on event-free survival, as did previous mitral valve procedure and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure above 50 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being a relatively low-volume center, excellent short and long-term results were demonstrated, with event-free survival rates consistent with previous studies from high-volume centers. LAVI independently predicted long-term event-free survival.

Procedural success and outcomes after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty in rheumatic mitral stenosis with moderate mitral regurgitation: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is contraindicated in mitral stenosis (MS) with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) according to the European guidelines. However, small-sized studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of PBMV in these patients. We aimed to study the procedural success and mid-term outcomes of PBMV in MS patients with moderate MR. Methods: The present study was a retrospective cohort study in consecutive patients with severe rheumatic MS who underwent PBMV with the Inoue technique in Songklanagarind hospital. The severity of mitral regurgitation was assessed with qualitative Doppler. The patients were grouped according to their MR severity before PBMV into moderate MR or less-than-moderate MR. Procedural success and a composite of all-cause death, mitral valve surgery or re-PBMV were compared between the two groups. Results: Of 618 patients with rheumatic MS who underwent PBMV in Songklanagarind hospital between January 2003 and October 2020, 598 patients (96.8%) had complete information of pre-PBMV MR severity and procedural success. Forty-nine patients (8.2%) had moderate MR before PBMV. Moderate MR before PBMV was not associated with a lower chance of PBMV success (moderate MR vs. less-than-moderate MR before PBMV; adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.32-1.29, P=0.22). Survival probability of all-cause death, MV surgery or re-PBMV in the group with moderate MR before PBMV was not different from the group with less-than-moderate MR (adjusted HR 1.30, 95% CI: 0.98-1.62, P=0.10). Conclusions: PBMV is an effective and safe treatment in rheumatic MS with moderate MR.

Comparison of Redo percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty for mitral restenosis with first procedure for de novo mitral stenosis.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the effects of redo percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with initial percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) in mitral restenosis (MR) and de novo mitral stenosis (MS) patients, respectively. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the cardiology department of Ch. Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology Multan for the period of one year from 6th July 2020 to 6th July 2021. A total of 50 patients were recruited in the study. Out of them, 20 de novo MS patients were placed in one group, while 30 patients with mitral restenosis, after successful initial percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty, were placed in another group. Ante grade trans-septal approach was adopted to perform percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. The procedure was considered successful in achieving a 50% increase in the area of the mitral valve, without any major complication. Results: Procedural success in first PMV patients was more (18 patients; 90.0%) than in redo PMV patients (26 patients; 86.6%) (Non-significant). The patients in both groups didn't differ significantly in terms of MVA after the procedure, the increase of MVA, the average difference in blood pressure across the mitral valve, and the complications experienced after the complete procedure. However, the final mitral valve area was negatively correlated with the initial area in both groups. Conclusion: Redo PMV for MR when performed after successful initial PMV is effective, has considerable rate of procedural success, which is achieved with a complication rate less as compared to initial PMV for de novo mitral stenosis.

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty using veno-arterial loop and neuro-embolic protection for mitral stenosis with thrombus.

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is not traditionally suitable for patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and left atrium (LA) thrombus. Moreover, PBMV cannot be performed in patients with LA thrombus not resolving after anti-coagulation treatment. Here we present a case of PBMV using a novel technique employing both a veno-arterial loop and neuro-embolic protection, in a patient with MS and LA thrombus resistant to warfarin therapy. The patient successfully underwent PBMV without any complications.

The role of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography novel-score in the success of redo percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Mitral valve commissure evaluation is known to be important in the success of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) and Wilkins score (WS) is used in clinical practice. In our study, we aimed to determine whether WS in redo PBMV is sufficient in the success of procedure and additionally we have evaluated a novel scoring system including three dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) of the mitral valve structure before redo PBMV in terms of success of the procedure. Fifty patients who underwent redo PBMV were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the success of the Redo PBMV procedure which was defined as post-procedural MVA ≥ 1.5 cm2 and post-procedural mitral regurgitation less than moderate by echocardiographic evaluation after PBMV. A novel score based on 3D TEE findings was created by analyzing the images recorded before Redo PBMV and by evaluating the mitral commissure and calcification. The role of traditional WS and novel score in the success of the procedure were investigated. In the study group, 36 patients (72%) had successful redo PBMV procedure. WS was 8 (IQR 7-9) and novel 3D TEE score was found 4 (IQR 3-4) in the whole study group. While no statistically significant relationship was found between WS and procedural success (p = 0.187), a statistically significant relationship was found between novel 3D TEE score and procedural success (p = 0.042). Specifically, the procedural successes rate was > 90% when novel 3D TEE score was < 4. The novel 3D TEE score might be an informative scoring system in the selection of suitable patients for successful redo PBMV, especially in patients who are considered for surgery due to the high WS.

A Nationwide Survey of Surgical Treatment for Severe Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Mitral subvalvular procedures in addition to restrictive annuloplasty are promising for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). However, the prevalence and efficacy of specific subvalvular repair in severe IMR have not been elucidated. This is the first nationwide survey regarding surgeons' attitudes toward IMR in Japan. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 543 institutions. From 2015 to 2019, numbers of elective first-time mitral valve replacement (MVR) with/without complete chordal preservation (CCP)/papillary muscle approximation (PMA) and mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) with/without papillary muscle relocation (PMR)/PMA in patients with severe IMR were collected. Concomitant procedures for coronary artery, tricuspid valve, and arrhythmia could be included but left ventricular reconstruction was excluded. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 286 institutions (52.7%). The majority (90%) had less than 20 cases within 5 years. The number of MVP (1413, 61.5%) surpassed MVR (886, 38.5%). CCP was performed in half of MVR (50.0%), while PMA was included in only 1.9% of MVR. PMA and PMR were also performed infrequently, in only 7.7% and 10.9% of MVP, respectively. CONCLUSION: Japanese surgeons aggressively perform MVP for severe IMR. Subvalvular repair was also aggressively performed in addition to MVR, but not to MVP. A multicenter registry study is in progress.

Clinical analysis of 152 mitral valvuloplasty surgeries performed by a single surgical team in one year / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To summarize the clinical data of mitral valve surgery completed in a single surgical team in one year, to discuss the etiologic characteristics, methods, results and early postoperative outcomes of mitral valvuloplasty surgeries, and to analyze the epidemiologic trends of mitral valve diseases admitted to the hospital.Methods:A total of 209 mitral valve surgeries completed by the same surgeon in the single surgical team at the Cardiovascular Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, from January 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Mitral valve surgery accounted for 53.6% of all surgeries in this team during the same period. There were 100 cases(47.8%) in males and 109 cases(52.2%) in females, aged 11-85 years old, with a mean of(53.5±15.2) years old. There were 121 cases(57.9%) of NYHA class Ⅱ and 88 cases(42.1%) of class Ⅲ/Ⅳ.Results:Of the 152 mitral valvuloplasty surgeries, 117(77%) were performed with a totally Thoracoscopic approach. Annuloplasty rings were applied in 145 cases(95.4%), including semi-rigid closed Physio II annuloplasty rings in 118 cases(81.4%), Gore-Tex artificial chordae were applied in 89 cases(58.6%) for a total of 145, leaflet repair in 15 cases(9.9%), edge-to-edge repair in 2 cases(1.3%), commissure suture in 34 cases(22.4%), and chordae tendineae and papillary muscle splitting in 15 cases(9.9%). The repair rate of degenerative mitral valve disease was 100%, and the repair rate of rheumatic mitral valve disease was 48.1%. The echocardiogram was received about one week after surgery, and there was no or trace regurgitation in 91 cases(59.9%), mild in 58 cases(38.2%), and moderate in 3 cases(2.0%). There were 2 cases(1.3%) of all-cause death.Conclusion:Degenerative mitral valve disease have become the leading cause of mitral valve disease in our center, and the proportion of rheumatic mitral valve disease has decreased. Degenerative mitral valve disease has a very high repair rate, and rheumatic mitral valve disease has a relatively low repair rate due to its special pathologic and anatomic characteristics. Most mitral valvuloplasty procedure can be performed in a totally thoracoscopic approach. The application of a mitral valvuloplasty ring combined with Gore-Tex artificial chordae by an experienced surgeon can achieve reliable repair results.

Ten-year experience of mitral valve surgery in infants / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To summarize the experience and effect of mitral valvuloplasty in the treatment of mitral valve disease in infants.Methods:The clinical data of 140 infants with mitral valve disease from June 2010 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 62 males and 78 females, with body weight of(6.4±1.4)kg and age of(196.6±80.1)days. Among them, 131 cases were moderately or above mitral insufficiency, and 9 cases were mitral stenosis. The perioperative and follow-up clinical data were recorded, and the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors of mitral valve plastic surgery were analyzed.Results:All 140 children were received surgery of mitral valve repair under cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was(79.1±41.9)min, aortic cross clamp time was(46.8±20.0)min, 7(5%)early death. Mechanical ventilation time was(74.2±149.8)h. After surgery, mild mitral regurgitation was found in 48 cases, mild-moderate regurgitation in 53 cases, moderate regurgitation in 32 cases, moderate-severe regurgitation in 6 cases, severe regurgitation in 1 case, with no mitral stenosis. During the follow-up period of 6-126 months, 3 cases died in the long term, and 11 cases were reoperated. Freedom from >moderate mitral regurgitation at 5 years after surgery was 81.2%. Longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and postoperative mitral regurgitation were risk factors for death and moderate or above regurgitation at the follow-up.Conclusion:Mitral valvuloplasty can effectively treat the mitral regurgitation and stenosis in infants. The prognosis of children with short cardiopulmonary bypass time and good valve plastic effect is better. For infants with Carpentier type I, good shaping effect can be achieved by mitral annuloplasty alone, while for type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ, treatment should be tailored to deal with the problems at all levels of the valve, and additional annuloplasty should be performed.

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Wave Reflection Before and After Mitral Valvuloplasty in Canine Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease.

Background: Pulmonary arterial wave reflection provides novel information about pulmonary artery hemodynamics in pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH is common in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), though research examining the relationship between pulmonary arterial wave reflection and MMVD with PH is lacking. Hypothesis/Objective: This study investigated conventional echocardiographic parameters and pulmonary artery wave reflection parameters before and after mitral valvuloplasty in canine patients with PH due to MMVD. The parameters were backward pressure (Pb), forward pressure (Pf), and the reflection coefficient calculated as the ratio of peak Pb to peak Pf (RC). Animals: The study subjects were 10 client-owned dogs receiving mitral valvuloplasty for MMVD with PH. Methods: Conventional echocardiographic parameters and pulmonary artery wave reflection parameters were measured before and after mitral valvuloplasty. The relationships between pulmonary artery wave reflection parameters and echocardiographic parameters, estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and right atrium pressure (RAP) gained by catheter in mitral valvuloplasty were also investigated. Post-operative echocardiography and the measurement of pulmonary arterial wave reflection were performed 2 weeks after mitral valvuloplasty. Results: The parameters of normalized left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole (LVIDDN), E velocity, and the estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure were significantly reduced post-operatively compared with baseline measurements (p < 0.05). Post-operative Pb decreased significantly compared with pre-operative measurements (8.8 ± 5.9 to 5.0 ± 3.2 mmHg, p = 0.037) as did RC (0.37 ± 0.15 to 0.22 ± 0.11, p < 0.01). A statistically significant positive correlation existed between wave reflection parameters and RAP, an estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that mitral valvuloplasty can be used to treat secondary PH caused by MMVD, resulting in the improvement of post-operative echocardiographic and wave reflection parameters and a decrease in the right afterload. In some patients, some degree of vascular admittance mismatch persisted, despite the improvement of left atrial pressure. This may be indicative of residual pulmonary arterial disease, which may continue to adversely affect interactions between the right ventricle and the vasculature.