Valve operations through a minimally invasive approach.
BACKGROUND
We analyzed in-hospital results of 87 patients undergoing minimally invasive valvular operations (right parasternal incision through third and fourth cartilages).


METHODS
Age was 21 to 84 years (mean, 56.2 +/- 16); 45 patients (51.7%) were female. Five (5.7%) had a previous valvular operation and 8 (9.2%) had severe left ventricular dysfunction. Valve diseases were as follows: aortic in 35 patients (40.2%), mitral in 44 (50.5%), double in 5 (5.7%), tricuspid regurgitation in 2 (2.2%), and mitral periprosthetic leak in 1 (1.1%).


RESULTS
Nineteen mitral repairs (21.9%), 22 replacements (25.3%), 1 leak closure (1.1%), 1 tricuspid repair (1.1%), and 1 replacement (1.1%) were performed. Thirty-one patients (35.7%) underwent aortic replacement, 2 (2.3%) aortic decalcification, 1 (1.1%) subaortic membrane resection, 4 (4.6%) a double-valve procedure, and 5 (5.7%) a single-valve operation combined with myocardial revascularization. In-hospital mortality was 5.7% (5 patients). Univariate analysis was significant for previous operation, New York Heart Association class IV and severe ventricular dysfunction. Multivariate analysis was significant for previous operation and severe ventricular dysfunction. Atrial fibrillation (12.6%) was the most frequent complication. Postoperative stay was 6.5 +/- 6 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The minimally invasive approach is a useful technique in valvular surgery. Patients with a previous valvular operation, severe ventricular dysfunction, and New York Heart Association class IV dyspnea have higher in-hospital mortality.
Weinschelbaum
E
E
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina. weins001@ffinme.edu.ar
Stutzbach
P
P
Machain
A
A
Favaloro
R
R
Caramutti
V
V
Bertolotti
A
A
Fraguas
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome