Long-term echocardiographic and clinical follow-up after mitral valve surgery in patients with extensive calcified mitral annulus

The aim of this study is the analysis of long-term results in patients with hemodynamically significant mitral valve disease due to extensive calcified mitral annulus who underwent decalcification and patch reconstruction. Between 1996 and 2008 a total of 109 patients underwent surgery in the presence of extensive calcification, severe mitral insufficiency and mitral stenosis. The mean age of patients (65 women, 44 men) was 66.4 +/- 13.8 years. Mitral valve repair was performed in 53 patients (49%), while the remaining 56 patients (51%) received a mitral valve replacement. In all, 64 patients (59%) required concomitant surgery. The mean follow-up time was 96 +/- 48 months. Inpatient and late mortality rates were 8.3% (nine patients) and 25.6% (28 patients), respectively. The actuarial survival rates at 5, 8 and 12 years were 88.1%, 76.2% and 66.1%. Echocardiographic follow-up demonstrated mitral insufficiency III in four patients (6%). No patients had mitral insufficiency IV. We observed a significant reduction in left atrium diameter, LVEDD as well as mean transvalvular gradient. Freedom from reoperation at 5 and 8 years was 96.4% and 91.8%, respectively. We found systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, age above 65 years, concomitant aortic valve replacement, concomitant procedures, chronic renal insufficiency and cardiac decompensation in the medical history as predictors for significantly increased early or late mortality. The long-term results strongly suggest that en bloc decalcification and patch reconstruction of the mitral annulus can be safely undertaken in high-risk patients.