Harisios K Boudoulas | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

Left atrial volumes, function and work before and after mitral valve repair in chronic mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Despite the effect of mitral valve repair in left ventricular (LV) function having been extensively studied, investigations of left atrial (LA) performance indices are minimal. This prospective study was undertaken to analyze LA volumes, function and work in patients with chronic mitral valve regurgitation (MR) who underwent mitral valve repair; the analyses were conducted both before and six months after surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients (15 males, five females; mean age 51.4 +/- 12.5 years) with severe MR (grade IV) due to floppy mitral valve/mitral valve prolapse (FMV/MVP; anterior, posterior or both) underwent mitral valve repair. LA volumes, maximal at mitral valve opening (LAmax); minimal at valve closure (LAmin); and at onset of atrial systole (P-wave on ECG, LAP); and transmitral Doppler A-wave velocity were measured before and six months after surgery. LA stroke volume (LASV) = LAP - LAmin; LA ejection fraction (LAEF) = LASV/LAP; LA kinetic energy (LAKE) = 1/2 x LASV x 1.06 (specific gravity of blood) x A2 (dyne x cm x 10(3)); LA and LV dimensions and functions were assessed at the same time. RESULTS: NYHA functional class was improved postoperatively by at least one grade. LV systolic and diastolic dimensions were reduced significantly in all patients (p <0.001). LA volumes (LAmax, LAmin and LAP) were decreased significantly in all patients (p <0.001); LASV remained unchanged. LAEF and LAKE were increased significantly (both p <0.001). The A-wave was also increased (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased LA work (LAKE) after mitral valve repair, despite a decrease in LA volumes, suggests that LA muscle dysfunction was present before surgery. LA involvement may precede LV involvement. The determination of LA performance and work will help to optimize the timing of surgery in patients with FMV/MVP and MVR.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ross procedure: medium-term results.

INTRODUCTION: The Ross procedure is a safe alternative option for aortic valve replacement in selected patients. Here we present the medium-term results of our experience with this procedure. METHODS: Between December 1998 and January 2004, 21 patients (16 male, 5 female, mean age 42 years) underwent aortic valve replacement using the Ross operation. Indications for operation were aortic stenosis in 5 patients, aortic regurgitation in 5 patients, aortic stenosis and regurgitation in 9 patients, acute septic endocarditis of a native aortic valve in 1 patient and of a mechanical aortic valve in 1 patient. The root replacement technique was used in 17 patients (81%) and the subcoronary insertion technique in 4 patients (19%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 4.7% (1 patient) and late mortality is zero. Mean follow up duration was 4 years (range 1-6 years). On follow up all of the patients were in New York Heart Association class I. One patient developed neo-aortic root dilatation (5.1 cm) with mild neo-aortic valve regurgitation and underwent a modified David I procedure using a Valsalva graft. None of the patients had a gradient of more than 10 mmHg through the pulmonary autograft. Sixteen patients had no aortic insufficiency, while mild aortic regurgitation developed in three patients. Pulmonary valve regurgitation developed in 11 patients (range 8-75 mmHg) but only one patient (75 mmHg) developed significant asymptomatic stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with the Ross procedure suggests that aortic root replacement with a pulmonary autograft can be performed safely in adult patients. Pulmonary homograft degeneration requiring reintervention might be a rare complication.

Adolescent↗