title: Early Results of Edge-to-Edge Alfieri Mitral Repair Via Right Mini-Thoracotomy in 68 Consecutive Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : To examine early outcomes of mitral valve repair using Alfieri repair via a right mini-thoracotomy approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Records were examined in 68 consecutive patients undergoing Alfieri mitral repair via 6 cm right mini-thoracotomy. Most repairs were performed under cardioplegic arrest, using percutaneous femoral cannulation and direct aortic cannulation through the right first intercostal space. All patients without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy received rigid ring annuloplasty. The indications for Alfieri repair were extensive prolapse with ring size at least 30 mm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Mean age was 56 ± 13 (range, 20-80). Mitral disease etiology was Barlow disease in 17 of 68 (25%) patients and myxomatous disease in 47 of 68 (69%). Concurrent procedures were performed in 29 of 68 (43%) patients. Median ring size was 34 mm. Despite extensive leaflet disease, 59 of 68 (87%) patients were repaired without leaflet resection. Chord pairs were inserted on the posterior leaflet in 18 of 68 (26%) patients and anterior leaflet in four patients. There were no 30-day or late deaths. Residual intraoperative mitral regurgitation was absent in 54 of 68 (79%) patients and trace in the remainder. Local echocardiography follow-up at a mean of 99 days showed median residual regurgitation to be trace. Only two patients developed moderate regurgitation. Mean mitral gradient at follow-up was 4 ± 2 mm Hg. Local follow-up showed 28 of 39 (72%) patients to be New York Heart Association class I.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : An edge-to-edge Alfieri repair via mini-thoracotomy can provide excellent short-term results in selected patients with complex myxomatous mitral disease when minimizing the need for leaflet resection.
authors.affiliation: From the *Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, and †Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA.
authors.forename: Donald D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Glower
authors.forename: Bhargavi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: G Burkhard
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Mackensen