The short-term outcome of redo-mitral valve surgery: emergency versus elective

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the overall outcome of adult patients undergoing redo-mitral valve replacement as emergency cases against elective cases. Background Patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves are at risk of reoperation. The reported risk of mortality may be as low as 5.4-11% for elective reoperation, but as high as 38-61.5% for emergency  procedures. Patients and methods Forty patients who had undergone previous mitral valve replacement were admitted for redo-mitral valve replacement during the period between May 2011 and May 2013 at the National Heart Institute. They were divided into two groups: group A: 20 patients were admitted from the ER as emergency cases; group B: 20 patients were admitted from outpatient clinics as elective cases. A mechanical valve was inserted with horizontal mattress pledgeted nonabsorbable sutures. Sutures were placed from left atrium to left ventricle. Tricuspid valve incompetence, if present, was corrected by tricuspid valve repair (De-Vega suture). Results The hospital mortality was 20%. There was no effect regarding age, sex, cardiac rhythm, number of previous operations, type of the previous prosthesis, and interval from last implantation. Taking into consideration that mortality was higher in the emergency group, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, left ventricular end systolic diameter, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, redo-cardiac surgery sternotomy, and adhesiolysis carry a significant risk of catastrophic bleeding, especially with the rush accompanying hemodynamic instability. Infective cardiac tamponade, permanent pacemaker, residual infective endocarditis, the need for dialysis, and cerebrovascular accidents were not statistically significant. Conclusion When significant valve dysfunction is first noted, reoperation should be undertaken to minimize the operative risk to avoid mortality and postoperative morbidities.