title: Mitral valve repair in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
abstract: Two cases of successful mitral valve repair in patients on chronic hemodialysis are presented. We stress that valve repair is preferable to valve replacement whenever feasible because of improved left ventricular function, reduced complication rate, and freedom from anticoagulation. This especially applies to patients on chronic hemodialysis as they have impaired immunological function, are subjected to repeated fistula punctures with possible bacteremia, and are more susceptible to early calcification and degeneration of tissue valves.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mestres
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adebo
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006435:Renal Dialysis