[Outcome of mitral valve replacement in Iceland].

INTRODUCTION: Mitral valve replacement (MVR) is the second most common valvular replacement procedure after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Studies on the outcome of MVR in Iceland have been missing. We therefore studied short and long-term results following MVR in Iceland,

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective nationwide study on 64 patients (mean age 59 years, 63% males) that underwent 66 MVR procedures in Iceland between 1990-2010. Clinical data was retrieved from patient charts and overall survival estimated. The mean follow-up was 7.4 years.

RESULTS: Mitral regurgitation or stenosis was the indication for MVR in 71% and 27% of cases, respectively. Nine patients had endocarditis and 8 a recent myocardial infarction. The mean logEuroSCORE was 14.9% (range 1.5-88.4), 83% of the patients were in NYHA class III/IV preoperatively and 24% had previously undergone cardiac surgery. A biological valve was implanted in six cases and a mechanical valve used in 60 cases. Concomitant CABG was performed in 41% of patients and AVR in 20%. Perioperative myocardial infarction (26%), acute respiratory failure (17%), reoperation for bleeding (15%) and acute renal failure requiring dialysis (9%) were the most common major complications. Three patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and six patients an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) postoperatively. Minor complications were noted in 61% of cases. Six patients died within 30 days (9%) and five year survival was 69%.

CONCLUSION: The frequency of complication following MVR was high and represents the severity of the underlying heart disease. The operative mortality in the current study was in the lower range compared to other studies.