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Mitral regurgitation (MR) occurs when any of the valve and ventricular mitral apparatus components are disturbed. As MR progresses, left ventricular remodelling occurs, ultimately causing heart failure when the enlarging left ventricle (LV) loses its conical shape and becomes globular. Heart failure and lethal ventricular arrhythmias may develop if the left ventricular end-systolic volume index exceeds 55 ml/m2. These adverse changes persist despite satisfactory correction of the annular component of MR. Our goal was to describe this process and summarize evolving interventions that reduce the volume of the left ventricle and rebuild its elliptical shape. This ‘valve/ventricle’ approach addresses the spherical ventricular culprit and offsets the limits of treating MR by correcting only its annular component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Ischaemic mitral valve regurgitation is associated with a significant reduction in survival and its treatment in patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction is usually associated with higher perioperative morbidity and mortality. We evaluated our 11-year experience in this cohort of patients. METHODS Between January 2000 and December 2010, a total of 282 patients underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction, of which 45 (16%) had concomitant mitral valve surgery. The data was retrospectively analyzed to identify variables that could predict early mortality. RESULTS Overall in-hospital mortality was 6.4% (n = 18), of which 5.1% (n = 12) occurred in patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction and 13.3% (n = 6) in patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction + mitral valve surgery (P = 0.05). Patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction + mitral valve surgery had poorer LV function (P < 0.01) and advanced NYHA class IV symptoms (P = 0.02) compared with patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction. These patients had a higher requirement for postoperative inotropic (P < 0.01) and IABP support (P < 0.01) and were more likely to suffer from low cardiac output syndrome (P < 0.01). In patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction + mitral valve surgery, 34 patients had mitral valve repair and 11 patients had mitral valve replacement. The mortality was 17.6% (n = 6) vs 0% (P = 0.31) in the mitral valve repair vs mitral valve replacement groups, respectively. The cohort of patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction + mitral valve repair had poorer LV function and more advanced symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction have excellent early outcomes. However, there are patients that are at an increased operative risk, such as those with concomitant ischaemic mitral regurgitation that might be better served with other surgical modalities, such as ventricular assist device or heart transplantation. The suggested algorithm based on current evidence provides a stepwise approach when dealing with patients with ischaemic mitral regurgitation ± left ventricular remodelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Secondary mitral insufficiency is a strong risk factor for death in end-stage cardiomyopathy. The possible correction of mitral regurgitation has now been accepted as an alternative to cardiac transplantation in a special subset of patients. We propose a new surgical approach that consists of implantation of a mitral prosthesis that is smaller than the annulus, and preservation and traction of the papillary muscles to reduce sphericity of the left ventricle. Methods: Between December 1995 and September 2005, 116 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy underwent this procedure, with the following etiologic factors: ischemic (68), idiopathic (43), Chagas disease (3), viral (1), and postpartum (1). The patients were analyzed according to clinical criteria, echocardiographic findings, and morphology of left ventricle. Results: All patients were in an end-stage phase, requiring >2 hospital admissions over the past 3 months, despite receiving full medication. Furthermore, seven were in intensive care unit receiving intravenous drugs or intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, and one was in cardiogenic shock. Hospital mortality was 16.3% (19/116), yet midterm follow-up showed a relatively flat late survival curve, with evidence of improved clinical status, better echocardiographic parameters, and reduction in ventricular sphericity. Conclusions: The high early mortality rate related to other clinical conditions at the time of surgery. However, the resultant flat survival after this early interval offers a promising long-term therapeutic alternative for the treatment of patients in refractory heart failure with cardiomyopathy that is associated with moderate or severe secondary mitral regurgitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]