Mitral repair best practice: proposed standards.
OBJECTIVE
To define best practice standards for mitral valve repair surgery.


METHODS
Development of standards for process and outcome by consensus.


METHODS
Multidisciplinary panel of surgeons, anaesthetists, and cardiologists with interests and expertise in caring for patients with severe mitral regurgitation.


METHODS
Standards for best practice were defined including the full spectrum of multidisciplinary aspects of care.


RESULTS
19 criteria for best practice were defined including recommendations on surgical training, intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography, surgery for atrial fibrillation, audit, and cardiology and imaging issues.


CONCLUSIONS
Standards for best practice in mitral valve repair were defined by multidisciplinary consensus. This study gives centres undertaking mitral valve repair an opportunity to benchmark their care against agreed standards that are challenging but achievable. Working towards these standards should act as a stimulus towards improvements in care.
Bridgewater
B
B
South Manchester University Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester, UK. ben.bridgewater@smuht.nwest.nhs.uk
Hooper
T
T
Munsch
C
C
Hunter
S
S
von Oppell
U
U
Livesey
S
S
Keogh
B
B
Wells
F
F
Patrick
M
M
Kneeshaw
J
J
Chambers
J
J
Masani
N
N
Ray
S
S
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D003253:Consultants; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008485:Medical Audit; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards*; D012015:Reference Standards; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom