MITRAL-VALVE REPLACEMENT VERSUS RECONSTRUCTION - ANALYSIS OF INDICATIONS AND RESULTS OF MITRAL-VALVE PROCEDURES IN A CONSECUTIVE SERIES OF 80 PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 73  (6) , 825-835
Abstract
Case histories of 80 patients undergoing mitral valve procedures over a 2 yr period were analyzed to determine the preoperative and intraoperative factors favoring reconstruction. Of 34 patients undergoing valve reconstruction, 31 (90%) were women, and the average age of patients undergoing reconstruction was 41 vs. 51 for patients who underwent replacement. Absence of calcification on fluoroscopic study and at operation favored reconstruction, as did the finding of good leaflet mobility by preoperative echocardiograms and operative assessment. Pure lesions, i.e., stenosis or insufficiency, favored reconstruction. The use of new annuloplasty tehcniques has facilated the surgeon''s ability to reconstruct regurgitant mitral valves. No operative deaths and excellent functional and clinical results obtained in 80% of patients undergoing mitral reconstruction justify the aggressive application of this technique in properly selected patients.