title: [Surgery in terminal mitral valve diseases].
abstract: In the past few years both the spectrum of mitral valve diseases leading to surgery and the surgical techniques have changed. We present our experience with the preservation of the subvalvular apparatus when mitral valve replacement is performed. In addition to preservation of the subvalvular apparatus of the posterior mitral leaflet, five techniques of subvalvular preservation are described. We conclude that mitral valve replacement should always aim at preservation of the subvalvular structures. The surgical method of choice in cases of isolated mitral valve insufficiency is mitral valve reconstruction. Treatment of associated atrial fibrillation, preferably by radiofrequency ablation, should always be performed concomitantly. Surgery of the mitral valve represents a palliative operation in selected patients with terminal cardiomyopathy.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin Klinik für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie Augustenburger Platz 1 13353 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pasic
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hetzer
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors