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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]

Background: The assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) is complex and complicated by the dynamic nature of this valvular abnormality. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a well-established tool that is used to assess the mitral regurgitation (MR) before and after mitral valve reconstruction. Objectives: This study conducted in the National Heart Institute in Cairo aimed at assessing the effect of depth of anaesthesia guided by bispectral index on the severity of mitral insufficiency as measured by transesophageal echocardiography. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in the National Heart Institute in Cairo. The study was conducted for a period of about six months after the approval from Ethical committee. Informed oral consent for every patient was obtained. Prospective observational cross-sectional study with a random sample of 20 patients at National Heart Institute. A sample size of at least 15 data pairs achieves 80% power to reject the null hypothesis of zero effect size when the population effect size is 0.80 and the significance level (alpha) is 0.05 using a two-sided paired ttest. Adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery in National Heart Institute. Results: The MR severity decreased at a deeper anaesthesia at low BIS than at a shallower anaesthesia at high BIS in patients with organic MR. Eight patients out of twenty patients (40% with organic MR) showed aþ1 grade of improvement in MR grade, by semi-quantitively measuring maximal JA and VC width. Improvement in mitral regurge severity thought to be secondary to unloading effect of general anaesthesia on left ventricle causing a decrease in afterload, preload, and left ventricular dimensions. This study demonstrated that, a comparison between deep anaesthesia and shallow anaesthesia using BIS showed there is a significant reduction in multiple parameters of MR severity assessment secondary to unloading effect of general anaesthesia on left ventricle caused by a decrease in both afterload and preload. Conclusion: This reduction in MR severity appeared to be significant enough to modify intraoperative decisions regarding valve surgery by underestimation of valve severity. Thus, strong consideration should be given to thorough preoperative assessment of MR severity, rather than relying on intraoperative findings. [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]

The author reflects on the importance of the surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) in treating ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. He cites the study conducted by Y. Cho and colleagues that explores the long-term results and mid-term features of the procedures that exemplify its significance to treat patients with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Its impact in remarkably changing the morbidity and mortality rates of ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy is also highlighted.

Background: In patients who underwent transaortic myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), we evaluated the role of concomitant procedures for short and long term outcome. Methods: From 1985 to 2000, in 125 patients a myectomy according to Morrow was performed. A total of 75 patients (group I) had isolated HOCM: 37 females, 38 males, mean age 52.1 years (14–79). The 50 patients of group II – 22 females, 28 males, mean age 62.4 years (36–77)-had concomitant procedures: coronary artery bypass grafting (36), mitral valve repair (15), DeVega-plasty (1), ventricular septal infarction-closure (1). Follow-up data of a total of 680.9 years (mean 5.4) were analyzed. Results: Postoperatively, left ventricular outflow tract gradients at rest and after ventricular premature beats were significantly reduced (P<0.001). Mean performance of survivors (112/125=89.6%) improved significantly (P<0.001). Perioperative complication rates: 10.7/12.0% (groups I/II), early lethality: 1.3/2.0%. Survival rates after 5/10 years were 93±3/87±6 and 80±7/80±7% for groups I and II, respectively. Conclusion: Long term results after surgical treatment of HOCM are convincing also if concomitant procedures are performed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]