Edge-to-edge mitral repair without annuloplasty in combination with surgical ventricular restoration

Background. Functional mitral regurgitation is common in ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Edge-to-edge repair is an option for correction and can be performed through the ventriculotomy during surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). This report describes the durability of the edge-to-edge repair without annuloplasty in combination with SVR. Methods. From March 1997 to July 2002, 31 patients with left ventricular aneurysm or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and functional ischemic mitral regurgitation grade II (n = 18), III (n = 10), and IV (n = 3) underwent SVR and edge-to-edge repair without annuloplasty with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. Long-term valve competence was assessed by echo-cardiography. Early and late survival and hospital readmission for heart failure were analyzed. Results. Early mortality was 5 (16%) of 31 patients. At 1, 3, and 5 years, actuarial survival was 77%, 55%, and 48%. The cumulative follow-up was 117 patient-years (4.5 years mean follow-up). Late echocardiograms performed at a mean of 3.1 years postoperatively showed patients had mitral regurgitation at grade 0 (n = 4), I (n = 10), II (n = 9), and III (n = 1). Two patients underwent reoperation owing to grade III-IV recurrent mitral regurgitation. Freedom from hospital readmission or cardiac death was 56% at 1 year and 48% at 3 years. Conclusions. Combined mitral valve repair and SVR carries high operative risk and long-term prognosis is worse than after SVR alone. The edge-to-edge repair without annuloplasty for functional ischemic mitral regurgitation seems to be fairly durable in conjunction with SVR. To improve results a transventricular annuloplasty may be added.