Surgical treatment of ishemic mitral regurgitation: Repair, replacement or revascularization alone?

Abstract

Introduction. Treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation in patients that require revascularization of myocardium is still debatable. Objective. The aim of this study was to compare three surgical approaches: valve repair and revascularization; valve replacement and revascularization, and revascularization alone. Methods. In 2006 and 2007 at the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, 1,040 patients with coronary disease underwent surgery. Forty-three patients (4.3%) had also mitral insufficiency 3-4+. The patients were examined clinically, echocardiographically and haemodynamically. In group I there were 14 (32.3%) patients, in group II 16 (37.2%) patients and in group III 3 (30.5%) patients. Ninetythree per cent of patients were classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and IV, and three (7%) patients had congestive heart weakness with ejection fraction ?30%. The decision as to surgical procedure was made by the surgeon. Postoperatively, patients were checked clinically and echocardiographically after 3, 6 and 12 months. The follow-up period was approximately 15 months (8-20). Results. Hospital mortality for the whole group was 6.9% (3 patients). In group I mortality was 14.2% (2 patients), in group II 6.25% and in group III there was no mortality. Long term results, up to 15 months, showed 100% survival in groups I and II, and in group III one patient died (7.7%). Conclusion. Short term results up to 30 days were best in group III, but longer term results were better in groups I and II.