Expanding the indication for sutureless aortic valve replacement to patients with mitral disease

Abstract

Objectives: To review our experience with sutureless aortic valve replacement (AVR) in the setting of concomitant mitral valve (MV) surgery and discuss the technical considerations.

Methods: Between January 2012 and March 2013, 10 patients underwent sutureless AVR with the Perceval prosthesis in the setting of concomitant mitral disease. Five patients underwent MV repair, 4 underwent MV replacement, and 1 had a previously implanted mechanical mitral prosthesis.

Results: The median age was 79 years and 7 patients (70%) were male. Median logistic EuroSCORE II was 6.2%. All valves were successfully implanted with no 30-day mortality. There was no residual aortic paravalvular leak. Two patients had from third-degree atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. At a mean follow-up of 8±4 months (range, 2-16 months), the overall survival was 80% with 2 non-valve-related deaths and the mean transaortic gradient and aortic valve area had improved to 11.1±4.6 mm Hg and 1.5±0.3 cm2, respectively. There was no evidence of mitral dysfunction in any patient.

Conclusions: In our experience, sutureless AVR in the setting of concomitant mitral surgery is a feasible and reproducible procedure. Elderly patients undergoing multiple valve surgery present a higher operative risk, therefore extending the indication for sutureless AVR to patients with concomitant mitral disease could greatly benefit this specific population.