Current Perspectives on Contemporary Rheumatic Mitral Valve Repair.

The surgical management of rheumatic mitral valve disease remains a challenge for cardiac surgeons. Durability of mitral valve repair (MVr) is likely compromised not simply due to high technical demand, but surgeon reluctance, despite boasting copious advantages over MV replacement. This comprehensive review aims to evoke a deeper understanding of MVr concepts necessary to abate these limitations and shift mindset towards a more holistic approach to repair. Details of commonly utilized techniques in contemporary MVr for rheumatic heart disease will be discussed. Of importance, the reparative procedures will be mapped to an in-depth physiological exploration of the mitral complex-dynamism and rheumatic interplay. This is further emphasized by outlining the current "aggressive" resection strategy in contemporary rheumatic MVr.

United in Earnest: First Pilot Sites for Increased Surgical Capacity for Rheumatic Heart Disease Announced by Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects more than 33,000,000 individuals, mostly from low- and middle-income countries. The Cape Town Declaration On Access to Cardiac Surgery in the Developing World was published in August 2018, signaling the commitment of the global cardiac surgery and cardiology communities to improving care for RHD patients. METHODS: As the Cape Town Declaration formed the basis for which the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance (CSIA) was formed, the purpose of this article is to describe the history of the CSIA, its formation, ongoing activities, and future directions, including the announcement of selected pilot sites. RESULTS: The CSIA is an international alliance consisting of representatives from major cardiothoracic surgical societies and the World Heart Federation. Activities have included meetings at annual conferences, exhibit hall participation for advertisement and recruitment, and publication of selection criteria for cardiac surgery centers to apply for CSIA support. Criteria focused on local operating capacity, local championing, governmental and facility support, appropriate identification of a specific gap in care, and desire to engage in future research. Eleven applications were received for which three finalist sites were selected and site visits conducted. The two selected sites were Hospital Central Maputo (Mozambique) and King Faisal Hospital Kigali (Rwanda). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial progress has been made since the passing of the Cape Town Declaration and the formation of the CSIA, but ongoing efforts with collaboration of all committed parties-cardiac surgery, cardiology, industry, and government-will be necessary to improve access to life-saving cardiac surgery for RHD patients.

United in earnest: First pilot sites for increased surgical capacity for rheumatic heart disease announced by Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects more than 33,000,000 individuals, mostly from low- and middle-income countries. The Cape Town Declaration On Access to Cardiac Surgery in the Developing World was published in August 2018, signaling the commitment of the global cardiac surgery and cardiology communities to improving care for RHD patients. METHODS: As the Cape Town Declaration formed the basis for which the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance (CSIA) was formed, the purpose of this article is to describe the history of the CSIA, its formation, ongoing activities, and future directions, including the announcement of selected pilot sites. RESULTS: The CSIA is an international alliance consisting of representatives from major cardiothoracic surgical societies and the World Heart Federation. Activities have included meetings at annual conferences, exhibit hall participation for advertisement and recruitment, and publication of selection criteria for cardiac surgery centers to apply for CSIA support. Criteria focused on local operating capacity, local championing, governmental and facility support, appropriate identification of a specific gap in care, and desire to engage in future research. Eleven applications were received for which three finalist sites were selected and site visits conducted. The two selected sites were Hospital Central Maputo (Mozambique) and King Faisal Hospital Kigali (Rwanda). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial progress has been made since the passing of the Cape Town Declaration and the formation of the CSIA, but ongoing efforts with collaboration of all committed parties-cardiac surgery, cardiology, industry, and government-will be necessary to improve access to life-saving cardiac surgery for RHD patients.

United in earnest: First pilot sites for increased surgical capacity for rheumatic heart disease announced by Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease affects more than 33,000,000 individuals, mostly from low- and middle-income countries. The Cape Town Declaration on Access to Cardiac Surgery in the Developing World was published in August 2018, signaling the commitment of the global cardiac surgery and cardiology communities to improving care for rheumatic heart disease patients. METHODS: As the Cape Town Declaration formed the basis for which the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance was formed, the purpose of this article is to describe the history of the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance, its formation, ongoing activities, and future directions, including the announcement of selected pilot sites. RESULTS: The Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance is an international alliance consisting of representatives from major cardiothoracic surgical societies and the World Heart Federation. Activities have included meetings at annual conferences, exhibit hall participation for advertisement and recruitment, and publication of selection criteria for cardiac surgery centers to apply for Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance support. Criteria focused on local operating capacity, local championing, governmental and facility support, appropriate identification of a specific gap in care and desire to engage in future research. Eleven applications were received for which three finalist sites were selected and site visits conducted. The two selected sites were Hospital Central Maputo (Mozambique) and King Faisal Hospital Kigali (Rwanda). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial progress has been made since the passing of the Cape Town Declaration and the formation of the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance, but ongoing efforts with collaboration of all committed parties-cardiac surgery, cardiology, industry, and government-will be necessary to improve access to life-saving cardiac surgery for rheumatic heart disease patients.

United in earnest: first pilot sites for increased surgical capacity for rheumatic heart disease announced by cardiac surgery intersociety alliance.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects >33 000 000 individuals, mostly from low- and middle-income countries. The Cape Town Declaration on Access to Cardiac Surgery in the Developing World was published in August 2018, signalling the commitment of the global cardiac surgery and cardiology communities to improving care for patients with RHD. METHODS: As the Cape Town Declaration formed the basis for which the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance (CSIA) was formed, the purpose of this article is to describe the history of the CSIA, its formation, ongoing activities and future directions, including the announcement of selected pilot sites. RESULTS: The CSIA is an international alliance consisting of representatives from major cardiothoracic surgical societies and the World Heart Federation. Activities have included meetings at annual conferences, exhibit hall participation for advertisement and recruitment and publication of selection criteria for cardiac surgery centres to apply for CSIA support. Criteria focused on local operating capacity, local championing, governmental and facility support, appropriate identification of a specific gap in care and desire to engage in future research. Eleven applications were received for which 3 finalist sites were selected and site visits conducted. The 2 selected sites were Hospital Central Maputo (Mozambique) and King Faisal Hospital Kigali (Rwanda). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial progress has been made since the passing of the Cape Town Declaration and the formation of the CSIA, but ongoing efforts with collaboration of all committed parties-cardiac surgery, cardiology, industry and government-will be necessary to improve access to life-saving cardiac surgery for patients with RHD.

Rheumatic mitral valve repair: a physiologic and dynamic approach.

Rheumatic valve repair although complex but with better understanding of mitral complex and dynamics, successful rate of mitral repair is enhanced and promising.

Rheumatic mitral valve repair: a personal perspective and results.

Rheumatic mitral valve disease remains a challenge for cardiac surgeons. Valve repair has several advantages over valve replacement but is technically demanding for good results. To improve rheumatic mitral valve repair, surgeons need to have a deep understand of the mitral valve complex and its dynamics. The goal of repair is to restore normal diastolic and systolic function. The current approach is to perform a holistic repair of the entire mitral complex. Each part of the complex is thoroughly explored to define the problem. Several innovative techniques have been introduced to correct valve dysfunction and provide gratifying results. The details of these techniques will be described, based on an understanding of the relationship of the mitral valve complex and dynamics. With this approach, rheumatic mitral valve repair is becoming more successful, reproducible, and safe. Long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Left atrial reduction in modified maze procedure with concomitant mitral surgery.

BACKGROUND: An association between mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation is common. Modifications of energy sources have simplified surgical ablation. Left atrial size reduction should improve outcomes of the maze operation. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2011, 236 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and mitral valve disease underwent mitral valve surgery and modified biatrial radiofrequency ablation. The study evaluated cardiac rhythm, atrial size, atrial contractility, and survival. RESULTS: The mitral valve was repaired in 88 (37.3%) patients and replaced in 148 (62.7%). The left atrium was reduced in 192 (81.4%) patients: 31 (13.1%) had posterior wall reduction and 161 (68.2%) had right lateral and posterior wall resection. The 30-day mortality was 4.2% (10/236). The median follow-up was 41 months. Actuarial freedom from atrial fibrillation at 1 year and last follow-up was 87.7% and 84.9%, respectively. Predictors of recurrence were preoperative left atrial diameter >60 mm (p = 0.002), postoperative diameter >50 mm (p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation on day 7 (p < 0.001), and technique of reduction (posterolateral/posterior) in patients with atrial size >60 mm (p = 0.017). Atrial fibrillation during follow-up (p = 0.002) and age >60 years (p = 0.003) were significant predictors of poorer survival. During 5-year follow-up, non-atrial fibrillation patients survived significantly longer than atrial fibrillation patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation is an effective option for treatment of permanent atrial fibrillation concomitant with mitral valve surgery. Atrial reduction to <50 mm improves success. Elimination of atrial fibrillation significantly prolongs patient survival.

Rheumatic mitral valve repair: experience of 221 cases from Central Chest Institute of Thailand.

Rheumatic heart disease is a major problem in Thailand and this region. Surgical management is still a dilemma and problematic. Current understanding of mitral valve complex and its dynamics in combination with improvement of surgical techniques allow surgeon to repair rheumatic mitral valve disease better. Several innovative approaches have been introduced recently and greatly enhances the success of mitral valve repair in this clinical entity. This case report reviews the authors' current approaches and results in the repair of rheumatic mitral valve at Central Chest Institute of Thailand.

Patient-prosthesis mismatch has no influence on in-hospital mortality after aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between prosthetic aortic valve orifice and body surface area (Effective Orifice Area Index, EOAI) and in-hospital mortality after aortic valve replacement. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study was conducted between October 2007 to September 2010, 536 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) was recorded on preoperative, operative and postoperative data. Patient Prosthesis Mismatch (PPM) was classified by Effective Orifice Area Indexed (EOAI) by prosthetic valve area divided by body surface area as mild or no significance if the EOAI is greater than 0.85 cm2/m2, moderate if between 0.65 cm2/m2 and 0.85 cm2/m2, and severe if less than 0.65 cm2/m2. Statistical differences were analyzed by Chi-square and student t-test with p-value less than 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: There were 304 men, mean age was 60.98 years, mean valve orifice area 1.69 cm2, body surface area 1.60 m2, cross clamp time 1.13 hrs., bypass time 1.67 hrs. Mechanical valves were used in 274 patients (51.2%) and Bioprosthesis were used in 181 patients (48.8%). PPM was found in 33.7%, 6.7% was severe PPM, 27% was moderate PPM and 66.3% has no significant PPM Over all in-hospital mortality was 1.5%. There was no significant difference in hospital mortality between no PPM group, moderate PPM and severe PPM group (1.4% vs. 1.4% vs. 5.4%, p-value = 0.86). CONCLUSION: In a large aortic valve surgery population, moderate and severe patient prosthesis mismatch occurred in 35.6% of patients but had no influence on in-hospital mortality.

Giant coronary artery aneurysm mimicking a mediastinal mass: a case report and review.

Giant coronary artery aneurysm is a rare disorder which remains asymptomatic in most patients. However it appears that serious complications may develop at some point of time and will likely require surgical intervention. A patient with a huge coronary aneurysm ten centimeters in diameter successfully treated with surgical intervention was presented.

Autologous pericardial valved conduit for the Ross operation.

The feasibility and function of autologous pericardial valved conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in the Ross operation were assessed. Between June 1997 and April 2002, 31 patients underwent this procedure at our institution; one was lost to follow-up. The other 26 males and 4 females were aged 17 to 60 years (mean, 36.6 years). Causes of aortic valve disease were infective endocarditis in 26 and rheumatic valve disease in 4. Mean follow-up was 16.7 months (range, 1-58 months). Preoperatively, 9 patients were in functional class II, 19 in class III, and 2 in class IV. Concomitant procedures included coronary artery bypass (1), mitral valve replacement (6), tricuspid valve replacement (1), and ventricular septal defect closure (1). Mean aortic crossclamp time was 199.4 min. There were 4 (13.3%) hospital deaths and no late death. Mean postoperative functional class was 1.17 with +0.36 aortic regurgitation, a peak gradient of 21.9 mm Hg (range, 6-59 mm Hg) across the conduit, and grade +0.96 pulmonary regurgitation. No conduit-related complication was detected. Use of autologous valved conduit for the Ross operation is feasible. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to assess durability.