Combined mitral and aortic valve procedure via right mini-thoracotomy versus full median sternotomy: Insights from a single-center study of propensity-matched data

Abstract

0.05). Patients in the RT group as compared with the FS group were less likely to receive postoperative new onset of atrial fibrillation and red cell transfusion (11.0% versus 25.3%, P = 0.012; 17.6% versus 37.4%, P = 0.003, respectively), but they shared similar incidences of other major postoperative morbidity. Patients in the RT group as compared with the FS group experienced 6-minute longer aortic cross-clamping times and 9-minute longer cardiopulmonary bypass times, but received shorter intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospitalization time. No repeat valve operation, peri-prosthetic leak, or moderate or severe mitral valve regurgitation following valvuloplasty were observed in either group before discharge and also within one year of surgery. In primary, isolated, combined mitral and aortic valve procedure, a right mini-thoracotomy approach may be utilized with accepted early clinical outcomes, and may be considered as a feasible alternative to the approach of full median sternotomy.