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OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive access has become the preferred choice in mitral and/or tricuspid valve surgery (MVR±TVR). Reported outcomes are at least similar to classic sternotomy although aortic cross-clamp times are usually longer. METHODS We analyzed the largest registry of MVR±TVR patients (MMIR) for the relationship between aortic cross-clamp times, mortality and other outcomes. From 2015–2021, 7,513 consecutive patients underwent mini-MVR±TVR in 17 international Heart-Valve-Centres. Data were collected according to MVARC definitions and 6878 patients with one cross-clamp period were analysed. Uni- and multivariable regression analyses were used to assess outcomes in relation to aortic cross-clamp times. RESULTS Median age was 65 years (57% male). Median EuroSCORE II was 1.3% (IQR: 0.80–2.63). Minimally invasive access was either by direct vision (28%), video-assisted (41%) or totally endoscopic/robotic (31%). Femoral cannulation was used in 93%. Three quarters were repairs with 17% additional TVR and 19% AF-ablation. Cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 135 min (IQR : 107–173) and 85 min (IQR : 64–111), respectively. Postoperative events were death (1.6%), stroke (1.2%), bleeding requiring revision (6%), low cardiac output syndrome (3.5%) and acute kidney injury (6.2%, mainly stage I). Statistical analyses identified significant associations between cross-clamp time and mortality, low cardiac output syndrome and acute kidney injury (all p CONCLUSIONS Aortic cross-clamp time is associated with mortality as well as postoperatively impaired cardiac and renal function. Thus, implementing measures to reduce cross-clamp time may improve outcomes.

Objective With the popularization of catheter-based mitral valve procedures, evaluating risk-specific differentiated clinical outcomes after contemporary mitral valve surgery is crucial. In this study, we assessed the operative results of minimally invasive mitral valve operations across different patient risk profiles and evaluated the value of EuroSCORE II predicted risk of mortality model for risk prediction, in the large cohort of Mini-Mitral International Registry (MMIR). Methods The MMIR database was used to analyze mini-mitral operations between 2015 and 2021. Patients were categorized as low- ( Results A total of 6541 patients were included in the analysis. Of those, 5546 (84.8%) were classified as low risk, 615 (9.4%) as intermediate risk, 191 (2.9%) as high risk and 189 (2.9%) as extreme risk. Overall operative mortality and stroke rates were 1.7% and 1.4%, respectively, and were significantly associated with patient’s risk. The observed mortality was significantly lower than expected -according to the EuroSCORE II- in all risk categories (O: E ratio < 1). Conclusions The present study provides an international contemporary benchmark for operative outcomes after minimally invasive mitral surgery. Operative results were excellent in low-, intermediate- and high risk patients, but were less satisfactory in extreme risk. The EuroSCORE II model overestimated the in-hospital mortality. We believe findings from the MMIR may assist surgeons and cardiologists in clinical decision-making and treatment allocation for patients with mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVES Artificial chordae tendineae are widely used for surgical repair in patients with mitral regurgitation due to floppy mitral valve/mitral valve prolapse. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene has been used to construct these artificial chordae; however, the determination of the optimal length of the chordae prior to surgery has been an issue. For this reason, such a method was developed and the results of its use are presented. METHODS Forty-seven consecutive patients with significant mitral regurgitation due to floppy mitral valve/mitral valve prolapse who underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery were studied. The chordae length was predetermined using transoesophageal echocardiography. The length between the top of the fibrous body of the papillary muscle and the coaptation line of the 2 leaflets of the mitral valve was measured and used to define the length of the chordae to be used for repair. Then under stereoscopic vision, a total endoscopic mitral valve repair was performed. RESULTS The predicted mean length of chordal loops was 19.76 ± 0.71 mm (median 20, range 16–28) and the actual mean length of chordal loops used was 19.68 ± 0.74 mm (median 20, range 16–26) demonstrating an excellent correlation between the two (r = 0.959). The mean number of chordae loops used per patient was 5.12 ± 0.62 (median 4, range 2–12). All patients at the time of discharge had no or trivial mitral regurgitation on transoesophageal echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS The chordae length used for mitral valve repair can be determined prior to surgery using transoesophageal echocardiography with a high degree of accuracy. Further, total endoscopic repair in this group of patients provides excellent results. For these reasons, it is expected that this method will replace most traditional approaches to cardiac surgeries in the years to come.

Background Endoscopic mitral valve surgery has become the gold standard of care in many expert centres around the globe. The aortic valve has not met the same popularity mainly due to the very confined space in the aortic root, and to the close proximity with the sternum which restricts the movement of the endoscopic instruments. When endoscopic aortic valve replacement is practiced in expert centres, is usually performed with the use of sutureless bioprostheses. We hereby present our experience of totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement (TEAVR) with conventional mechanical and biological prostheses. Methods Since January 2019, fifty-two consecutive patients with significant aortic stenosis and/or aortic regurgitation, who were operated with TEAVR with conventional prostheses were studied. 7,69% of the cases were REDOs. The prostheses used were either stented bovine pericardial in 84,6% of the patients and bileaflet mechanical in 15,4%. The operations were performed through a 3 to 4 cm working incision in the 3rd intercostal space (ICS) right parasternally (where an extra small soft tissue protector was deployed), a 10 mm port for the 3D, 30°, endoscope, and a 5 mm port for the left atrial vent. On full cardiopulmonary bypass, the heart was arrested with cardioplegia which was administered either in the aortic root or directly in the coronary ostia. A transverse aortotomy was performed 3 cm above the right coronary ostium. The native valve (tricuspid or bicuspid) was excised, the annulus was sized and the prostheses were inserted using twelve to fifteen annular sutures who were secured using an automated suture-fastening device. In order to facilitate exposure in the aortic root, a metal self-expandable net was used. Results The average age of the patients treated was 68,3 years (range 36–81, median 72). The mean EuroSCORE2 was 3,22 (0,9–12,01, SEM:0,71). The mean size of the prostheses inserted was 23,72 mm (21–27, median 23) and the mean postoperative peak gradient was 12,15 (5–19, SEM: 1,00). Mean cross clamp and CPB times were 75,38 min (SEM:5,87) and 116,30 (SEM:8,63). There was no case of paravalvular leak or pacemaker insertion. There was no mortality in this cohort of patients. There was one case of cerebrovascular accident. Conclusions TEAVR can be performed safely with conventional aortic prostheses. There are several advantages of the technique over the other aortic valve replacing approaches. Over the other surgical techniques has the advantage of not fracturing the sternum or spreading or dislodging the ribs and increased patient satisfaction. Over the TAVI has the advantages of fully removing the diseased native valve, securing the prosthesis at the exact annular level without any paravalvular leaks or need for pacemaker insertion and the ability of using mechanical prostheses. The main disadvantages of the technique are the relatively prolonged cross clamp and CPB times and the steep learning curve. TEAVR Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

The use of artificial chordae is one of the main techniques used in mitral valve repair to treat prolapsing leaflets, especially in anterior and bileaflet prolapse. With the use of PTFE sutures to replace elongated or ruptured chords mitral valve repair rates have significantly improved. The main difficulty with this technique is to determine the optimal length of the artificial chordae. Intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is mandatory in mitral valve repair in order to determine the type of lesion of the mitral valve but also to evaluate the quality of the repair. We examined the accuracy of preoperative prediction of artificial chordae length by the preoperativeTOE. Patients and methods Twenty-one consecutive patients (7 females) underwent mitral valve repair with artificial chordae for significant mitral valve prolapse in our department during the last year. The median age of the patients was 62 y. (range 25 - 87) and the mean EuroSCORE II 3,36% (SD 4,61%). During the prep TOE we determined the predicted length of the required replacement chordae for the repair using mainly the 4 chamber view to calculate the distance between the tip of the papillary muscle and the coaptation point of the two leaflets and we subtracted 5mm which is the minimum of the desired coaptation length (top right part of the Figure). All the patients underwent totally endoscopic mitral repair through a 3 cm right periareolar incision. 14,3% of the patients had anterior leaflet (AML) prolapse, 23,8% bileaflet and 61,9% posterior (PML). The appropriate length of the required chordae was measured intraoperatively. Results We used on average 3 loops of artificial chordae size 23,3 mm (SD 1,15mm) to treat the AML prolapse, 5 loops size 23,2 mm (SD 2,28mm) to treat the bileaflet prolapse and 2,23 loops size 18mm (SD 2mm) to treat the PML prolapse (bottom part of the figure). The predicted size of the artificial chordae had a positive correlation to the length used (Pearson correlation, p Chordae length predicted by echo Conclusion The length of artificial chordae can be predetermined with great accuracy with the use of TOE, making TOE an important tool not only for the determination of the mitral lesion and quality of the repair but also for the planning of the operation.

Introduction: Diastolic Heart Failure (DHF) is estimated to account for 30% to 55% of heart failure cases, resulting in significant mortality and morbidity. Management of DHF is essentially empirical, limited, and disappointing. We used a mathematical model and in-vivo studies to evaluate the feasibility of a new device-based approach for DHF, directed towards reducing LV chamber stiffness, utilizing a passive mechanical device which stores energy during systole and releases it in a recoiling force during diastole. Methods: The cardiovascular system and device were simulated using equivalent electronic circuits. Cardiac chambers were modeled using time-varying elastance, and blood vessels using two-elementWindkessel. The device, comprising spiral attachment screws and elastic elements, was implanted off-pump in five healthy sheep (Figure 1). Echocardiography to evaluate LV function and fluoroscopy to evaluate device energy transfer to the LV chamber, determined by elastic elements strain, were conducted up to 90 days post implantation. Results: Simulated LV pressure-volume loops in DHF patients resulted in increased LV volumes, stroke volume and cardiac output and reduced LV diastolic pressure, pulmonary venous pressure and left atrial pressure. The device attachment procedure was technically simple, all animals exhibited good clinical recuperation, Ejection Fraction was preserved up to 90 days follow-up (N=5) and angiography demonstrated good coronary flow. Elastic elements average strain and average device elastic energy transfer was consistent from implantation and up to 90 days follow-up. Conclusion: This study demonstrates for the first time that a passive mechanical device can consistently transfer energy to the LV during diastole without significantly hampering systolic function, and is safe for up to 3 months follow-up. Additional research is needed to validate the safety and efficacy of the device.