Ischaemic mitral valve regurgitation: a surgical approach

The aim of this study IS to determine surgical results after surgical mitral valve repair in ischaemic mitral regurgitation. Materials and methods: Between January 1999 and June 2000, 64 patients (5.1% of overall patients) underwent myocardial revascularization and mitral valve surgery. A Cosgrove-Edwards mitral annuloplasty ring was used in 59 cases (92.2%). Average patient age was 64.3±12.4 years (38 males, 21 females). Average degree of mitral regurgitation was 2.8±0.6. Average NYHA class was 3.5±0.5. Average ejection fraction (EF) was 40±12.5 percent. Results: Post-operative 30-day mortality was 3.4% (2 patients). The follow-up was complete for 95 percent (mean 20.4±4.8 months for patients)and data showed an improvement of NYHA class (mean value 1.8±0.2) (p=0.01) and ejection fraction (mean value 51.7±10.2) (p=0.05) with residual mitral regurgitation value of 0.6±0.7. Conclusions: Mitral valve repair in coronary artery disease improves left ventricular function, quality of life and survival rate with low operative risk. Perioperative transesophageal echocardiography has a central role in surgical decision making.