Veinte años de cirugía reparadora de la válvula mitral

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mitral valve repair is the preferred procedure for the surgical treatment of mitral valve insufficiency (MI), procedure that we initiated 20 years ago. AIM To assess our experience and long-term results of mitral valve repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS The database of the cardiology department was reviewed for the period between December 1991 and December 2012. A total of 322 patients aged 18 to 89 years (62% males) undergoing mitral valve repair were identified. Long-term survival information was obtained consulting death certificate records of the Chilean Identification Service. The latest echocardiogram available was analyzed. RESULTS MI was degenerative in 144 patients (45%) and ischemic in 104 (32%). A prosthetic ring was used in all ischemic and in 92% of non-ischemic MI. Operative mortality was 7.5%, 13% in ischemic and 4.4% in non-ischemic MI (p < 0.01). Overall long-term survival was 14.1 years; 9.3 and 16 years for ischemic and non-ischemic MI, respectively (p < 0.001). Survival at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years was 79, 63, 54 and 42%, respectively. For degenerative MI survival at 5 and 10 years was 90 and 76% and for ischemic MI, it was 64 and 44%, respectively (p < 0.001). On a multivariate analysis the main predictors of late mortality were age, associated valvular disease and ischemic etiology. Echocardiographic follow-up was available for 223 patients; MI was absent in 53% and was mild in 29%. CONCLUSIONS In a 20 years follow-up, mitral valve repair for MI had excellent long-term survival and echocardiographic results. The most common etiologies of MI were degenerative and ischemic diseases. The latter had a worst prognosis. The main predictors of long term mortality were age, associated valvular disease and ischemic etiology.