title: [Does the Residual Regurgitation on Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography after Valve Surgery Deteriorate in Early Postoperative Period?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Residual regurgitation after valve surgery affects patients' long-term prognosis. Whether post-repair regurgitation deteriorates postoperatively or not remains unclear, but this issue is a primary concern of the anesthesiologists responsible for intraoperative evaluation by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). This study was conducted to assess changes in the severity of residual regurgitation during the early postoperative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among 160 consecutive patients who underwent valve repair or valve replacement surgery during April 2010-June 2013 at our institution, 38 (24%) were found to have residual regurgitation by intraoperative TEE. We retrospectively evaluated these patients by reviewing follow-up transthoracic echocardiographic examination records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Residual regurgitation improved in 14 (37%), remained unchanged in 21 (55%), and worse in 3 (8%). All three patients showing worse regurgitation had undergone valve repair. Of them, one had reoperation one year later. No worsening of regurgitation, including perivalvular leakage, was found in patients who had undergone valve replacement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In valve repair, even mild residual regurgitation deteriorates postoperatively. Therefore, it should be observed cautiously. In valve replacement mild residual regurgitation did not deteriorate, irrespective of the regurgitation mechanism.
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gamo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis