Minimally invasive mitral valve repair

Pain Management in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: A Review of Current Clinical Evidence

Compared with conventional sternotomy, minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is associated with significant advantages such as reduced tissue trauma, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. However, the management of postoperative pain caused by intercostal nerve injury, pleural irritation, and tissue retraction remains a major challenge. Despite the less invasive nature of MICS, patients often report experiencing pain similar to that experienced following conventional cardiac surgery, particularly during the acute postoperative period. Effective pain management is essential for optimizing recovery, reducing the consumption of opioids, and preventing the transition to chronic postsurgical pain. Regional anesthesia techniques play a key role in multimodal analgesia for MICS. Thoracic epidural analgesia exhibits strong analgesic efficacy; nevertheless, it remains underutilized owing to concerns regarding anticoagulation-related complications and hemodynamic instability. The thoracic paravertebral block is a safer alternative that provides comparable pain relief with fewer side effects. Similarly, ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks, such as serratus anterior, parasternal intercostal, interpectoral + pectoserratus, and erector spinae plane blocks, have gained popularity owing to their safety and feasibility; however, the effectiveness of these blocks varies according to the surgical approach and type of incision. Systemic analgesia is an integral component of multimodal pain management in MICS. Despite the efficacy of opioids, a shift toward opioid-sparing strategies has been observed given the significant adverse effects associated with the use of opioids. Intravenous adjuncts such as dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce opioid consumption and improve postoperative pain control. Despite advances in pain management, a single approach that can provide comprehensive analgesia for MICS remains to be established. A multimodal strategy that combines systemic and regional techniques must be developed to optimize pain management and long-term outcomes.

Morphometric Measurements Prior to Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair: Technical and Educational Aspects

Objective: The totally endoscopic approach is on the rise to become the new standard in mitral valve surgery. The aim of this study was to develop a morphometric measurement tool for educational purposes to predict operability with low conversion and high repair rates. Methods: From January 2020 to March 2023, 64 patients underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve repair (TE-MVR). Of these, 15 patients were deemed to be unsuitable for TE-MVR due to narrow space and/or anticipated complex repair techniques and underwent repair through sternotomy (MVR-open). Angio-CT scanning was performed for preoperative planning and measurements of the following: the distance between the sternum and the spine (DSS), the distance between the skin incision and the anterior anulus of the mitral valve (DNM) and the intercostal space at the level of the skin incision (ICS). Results: The repair rate for all patients was 98.7%. In the TE-MVR group, the conversion rate to sternotomy was 3.1%. The 30-day survival was 100%. The DSS was 130.4 ± 18.8 mm and 108.1 ± 17.3 mm, and the DSM 70.7 ± 12.1 mm and 58.5 ± 13.6 mm in the TE-MVR and MVR-open, respectively (p < 0.001). Twenty-one TE-MVR patients were found to be technically demanding due to friction and less freedom to move the instruments. The composite morphometric parameter DSS plus 4xICS minus DNM was 53.3, 39.8 and 25.6 for TE-TMReasy, TE-TMRdemanding and MVR-open, respectively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Conclusions: Surgical skills and a long history of expertise are mandatory to achieve excellent results with a low conversion and high repair rate. The composite morphometric parameter may be an easy tool for educational demands to predict the ease and feasibility of TE-MVR.

Comparison of Left Ventricular Functional Recovery and Remodeling After Total Thoracoscopic Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement in Patients With Mitral Regurgitation and Mildly to Moderately Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Background: Total thoracoscopic mitral valve surgery (TT-MVS) is a minimally invasive technique for mitral regurgitation (MR), but its impact on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in patients with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) is unclear. Methods: We retrospectively compared 94 patients who underwent total thoracoscopic mitral valve repair (TT-MVr) or total thoracoscopic mitral valve replacement (TT-MVR) for MR and reduced LVEF at our center from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. We assessed LV functional recovery and remodeling by echocardiography at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Results: A total of 43 patients underwent TT-MVr and 51 patients underwent TT-MVR. Both groups had similar early outcomes, hospital mortality, and postoperative complications. The TT-MVr group had higher LVEF and lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) than the TT-MVR group at 3 and 6 months after surgery (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Both groups improved in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class from baseline to 6 months after surgery (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusion: TT-MVr and TT-MVR are feasible and safe for patients with MR and reduced LVEF, but TT-MVr is associated with better LV functional recovery and remodeling within 6 months after surgery. TT-MVr should be preferred over TT-MVR whenever possible in this high-risk population. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of TT-MVS in this population.

Contemporary Review of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery: Current Considerations and Innovations

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has become a well-established alternative to traditional median sternotomy at high-volume surgical centers. Advancements in surgical instruments have led to further refinement of MIMVS. However, MIMVS remains limited to select patients in select settings. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the evolution of MIMVS, as well as a technical description of the most relevant aspects of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Pushing boundaries in cardiac surgery: minimally invasive mitral valve repair combined with tricuspid valve repair and/or other concomitant procedures

Introduction

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair/replacement has emerged as a widely accepted surgical approach for managing mitral valve disorders. Continuous technological progress has contributed to the refinement of this procedure, leading to improved safety, decreased surgical trauma, and faster recovery times. Despite these advancements, there remains a scarcity of data concerning minimally invasive complex mitral valve repair surgeries when combined with additional procedures.

Methods

Between November 2008 and December 2022, 153 patients underwent an operation using a minimally invasive technique. All patients underwent mitral valve surgery for severe mitral valve insufficiency/stenosis in combination with at least one additional procedure for tricuspid valve repair (n = 52, 34%), patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect closure (n = 34, 22.2%), left atrial appendage occlusion (n = 25, 16.3%), or electrophysiological procedure (n = 101, 66.0%). Two concomitant procedures were conducted in 98 patients (64.1%), three concomitant procedures in 49 patients (32%), and four concomitant procedures in 6 patients (3.9%).

Results

Surgical success was achieved in 99.3% of the patients (n = 152), one patient required a revision of the mitral valve repair on the first postoperative day due to systolic anterior motion phenomenon. Mitral valve repair was performed in 136 patients (88.9%), while 15 patients (9.8%) received a mitral valve replacement as per a preoperative decision due to severe mitral valve stenosis, and two patients (1.3%) underwent other mitral valve procedures. Therapeutic success in treating atrial fibrillation was achieved in 86 patients (85.1%) of the 101 who received an additional maze-procedure. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.7%, with one patient succumbing to respiratory failure. Neurological complications occurred in 7 patients (4.6%). Freedom from reoperation was calculated as 98% at 5-year follow-up and 96.5% at 10-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, even when performed alongside concomitant procedures, stands out as a reproducible and safe technique with outstanding outcomes. It is imperative to advance towards the next frontier in minimally invasive surgery, encouraging experienced surgeons to undertake more complex procedures using minimally invasive approaches. These results help envision extending the boundaries of minimally invasive surgery by performing complex mitral valve procedures and associated interventions entirely through endoscopic means in suitable patients.

Case Report: Persistent residual shunt after a first percutaneous PFO closure followed by minimally invasive surgical failure: third time is a charm

Background

Even though the optimal management of a moderate or large residual shunt following patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is open to question, recent data confirmed that it is associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence.

Case summary

A 48-year-old woman, a migraineur with visual aura, was diagnosed with a PFO associated with a huge multifenestrated atrial septal aneurysm (mfASA) and a moderate right-to-left shunt, detectable only after a Valsalva maneuver on contrast-transthoracic echocardiography. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a 1-mm silent white matter lesion in the right frontal lobe. Although the indication was not supported by guidelines, a transcatheter PFO closure was performed at another center with implantation of a large, equally sized, double-disc device (Figulla UNI 33/33 mm). At 6-month follow-up, a 2D/3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) color Doppler showed incorrect orientation of the device, which was not parallel to the interatrial septum, with two discs failing to capture the aortic muscular rim and partially protruding in the right atrium; furthermore, a 4 mm × 7 mm ASA fenestration was documented with a residual bidirectional shunt. Thereafter, the same team performed a minimally invasive cardiac surgery under femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass; however, the procedure proved ineffective and was complicated by postoperative pericarditis with pericardial effusion, requiring further rehospitalization 1 month later due to persistent pericarditis, bilateral pleuritis, phrenic nerve palsy, and atrial flutter, which was treated with amiodarone. The patient asked for a second opinion, and our multidisciplinary heart team decided to offer a percutaneous redo intervention. An uneventful implantation of a regular PFO occluder (Figulla Flex II 16/18 mm) across the septal defect was performed successfully. Twelve-month follow-up with 2D TTE color Doppler and contrast transcranial Doppler showed correct position and good interaction between the two devices, with no residual shunt.

Discussion

In addition to the incorrect indication for PFO closure and the failure of minimally invasive surgery, the procedural mishap in this case could have been due to the inappropriate implantation of the first large device within the tunnel. It would have been better to deploy the same large device in the most central fenestration, covering the PFO and a greater part of the remaining mfASA at the same time.

Two-incision totally thoracoscopic mitral valve repair combined with radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve disease: Early results of a case series of 43 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Few studies have reported the outcomes of two-incision total thoracoscopic mitral valve repair (MVr) and concomitant radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation (RAFA) in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 43 consecutive patients who underwent MVr and RAFA through two-incision total thoracoscopic technique from October 2018 to June 2022. We collected data on baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and early-term results.

RESULTS

The mean age was 55.67 ± 7.64 years and 29 (67.4%) patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 115.56 ± 8.53 min and aortic clamping time was 81.42 ± 7.54 min. There were no in-hospital deaths or strokes. The mean preoperative mitral valve orifice area (MVOA) was 0.95 (0.84-1.16) cm2 and increased to 2.56 (2.41-2.87) cm2 at discharge and 2.54 (2.44-2.76) cm2 at 3 months after surgery (P < .001). At discharge, 32 (74.4%) patients were in sinus rhythm, 7 (20.9%) were in junctional or atrial flutter rhythm, and 4 (9.3%) remained in AF. At 6 months, 35 (81.4%) patients were in sinus rhythm, 5 (11.63%) were in junctional or atrial flutter rhythm, and 3 (4.7%) were in AF.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-incision total thoracoscopic MVr and RAFA is a safe and effective procedure that can improve the MVOA and promote conversion of AF to sinus rhythm in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and AF. Further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the long-term benefits of this approach.

Long-Term Outcomes of Sternal-Sparing Versus Sternotomy Approaches for Mitral Valve Repair: Meta-Analysis of Reconstructed Time-to-Event Data

OBJECTIVE

Since there are concerns about the durability of mitral valve repair (MVRp) with minimally invasive techniques in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of these sternal-sparing approaches when compared with conventional approaches with sternotomy in patients undergoing MVRp.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review according to a preestablished protocol and performed a pooled analysis of Kaplan-Meier-derived reconstructed time-to-event data from studies with longer follow-up comparing sternal-sparing versus sternotomy approaches for MVRp. Our outcomes of interest were survival, freedom from recurrent MR, and freedom from reoperation.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met our eligibility criteria comprising 7,596 patients with follow-up (sternal sparing, n = 4,246; sternotomy, n = 3,350). Patients who underwent sternal-sparing MVRp had a significantly lower risk of mortality over time compared with patients who underwent MVRp with sternotomy (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23 to 0.36, P < 0.001) in the overall analysis. However, we found no statistically significant difference between the groups in the sensitivity analysis with adjusted populations (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.63 to 1.15, P = 0.301). Regarding the outcomes freedom from recurrent MR and freedom from reoperation, we found no statistically significant differences between the groups in the follow-up in both overall and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with MVRp with sternotomy approaches, sternal-sparing MVRp was not associated with worse outcomes in terms of survival, recurrent MR, and reoperations over time.

Effect of minimally invasive cardiac surgery compared with conventional surgery on post-operative physical activity and rehabilitation in patients with valvular heart disease

Background

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has steadily become more and more popular. MICS is less invasive and has a faster return to normality after surgery. Patients who had MICS continue to exercise more frequently than those who had the conventional median sternotomy surgery. It is generally established that physical activity lowers mortality and the risk of cardiac disease. The purpose of the study: is to evaluate and compare physical activity levels in MICS and conventional surgery.

Result

The level of preoperative physical activity did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, the MICS group significantly exceeded the conventional group in terms of postoperative progress, amount of physical activity, and 6-minute walking test. Also, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was significantly less.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has a higher margin of benefit, and speedy recovery to normality, which is accompanied by a lower VAS score and increased physical activity in comparison to conventional surgery.

Quantitative biomechanical optimization of neochordal implantation location on mitral leaflets during valve repair

Objective

Suture pull-out remains a significant mechanism of long-term neochordal repair failure, as demonstrated by clinical reports on recurrent mitral valve regurgitation and need for reoperation. The objective of this study was to provide a quantitative comparison of suture pull-out forces for various neochordal implantation locations.

Methods

Posterior leaflets were excised from fresh porcine mitral valves (n = 54) and fixed between two 3-dimensional-printed plates. Gore-Tex CV-5 sutures (WL Gore & Associates Inc) were placed with distances from the leading edge and widths between anchoring sutures with values of 2 mm, 6 mm, and 10 mm for a total of 9 groups (n = 6 per group). Mechanical testing was performed using a tensile testing machine to evaluate pull-out force of the suture through the mitral valve leaflet.

Results

Increasing the suture anchoring width improved failure strength significantly across all leading-edge distances (P < .001). Additionally, increasing the leading-edge distance from 2 mm to 6 mm increased suture pull-out forces significantly across all suture widths (P < .001). For 6-mm and 10-mm widths, increasing the leading-edge distance from 6 mm to 10 mm increased suture pull-out forces by an average of 3.58 ± 0.15 N; in comparison, for leading-edge distances of 6 mm and 10 mm, increasing the suture anchoring width from 6 mm to 10 mm improves the force by an average of 7.09 ± 0.44 N.

Conclusions

Increasing suture anchoring width and leading-edge distance improves the suture pull-out force through the mitral leaflet, which may optimize postrepair durability. The results suggest a comparative advantage to increasing suture anchoring width compared with leading-edge distance.