Early outcomes of mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis for rheumatic mitral valve disease

Objectives: To study the early outcomes of mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis is patients with rheumatic mitral valvular disease. Study Design: Retrospective Observational study. Setting: Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. Period: From August 2014 to August 2017. Material & Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve replacement for a rheumatic pathology were included in the study. Patients undergoing a redo surgery, those with concomitant aortic valve intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting and emergency procedures were excluded from the study. Results: Of the 104 patients included in the study, 58 (56.2%) were female patients. The mean age of the patients was 35 ± 12.36 years (median 33 years). Sixty (58.5%) had hypertension and 22 (21.28%) had diabetes. Mitral valve stenosis was the main pathology in 84 (81.25%). Severe pulmonary hypertension was recorded in 15 (15%) patients. The mean preoperative Tricuspid Valve Pressure Gradient (TVPG) was 55.33 ± 18.35 mmHg. The mean cross clamp time was 45.33 ± 12.32 minutes. The postoperative tricuspid valve pressure gradient came down to 31.5 ± 12.21 mmHg. No patients had acute renal injury, pulmonary complications or re-exploration for bleeding. Perioperative mortality was 4 (3.75%). Conclusion: Rheumatic valvular disease is still prevalent in our part of the world. Most of the patients with rheumatic heart disease will end up with replacement of the valve. Replacement with a mechanical prosthesis has favorable early outcomes.