Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Significant Valvular Heart Disease Referred for Electrical Cardioversion

Valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is defined as AF in the presence of mitral stenosis or mechanical valve prosthesis. However, there are patients with AF who have significant native valvular heart disease (VHD) others than mitral stenosis that are classified as nonvalvular AF. The characteristics and prognostic implications of these entities have not been extensively studied. Of 1,885 AF patients referred for electrical cardioversion (64 ± 13years, 71% male), 171 (9.1%) had valvular AF (any grade of mitral stenosis or mechanical/biological valve prostheses) and 1,714 patients were identified as nonvalvular AF, of whom 329 (17.5%) had significant left-sided VHD. Patients with nonvalvular AF but with significant left-sided VHD were older, more frequently women and had more co-morbidities compared with the other groups. Furthermore, nonvalvular AF patients with significant left-sided VHD showed the worst left ventricular systolic function and largest left atrial volumes. During a median follow-up of 64 months (interquartile range: 33 to 96 months), 488 patients presented with the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and ischemic stroke. Patients with nonvalvular AF and with significant left-sided VHD had more events of heart failure whereas patients with valvular AF had higher all-cause mortality events. There were no differences in ischemic stroke events. Type of AF was not associated with outcomes after correcting for echocardiographic variables. In conclusion, the frequency of AF patients with significant VHD is relatively high. The consequences of VHD and AF on cardiac structure and function are more important determinants of adverse outcome than the type of AF.

Repair or replacement for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The best surgical option for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of mitral valve repair (MVP) with replacement (MVR).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Medline using the terms "ischemic mitral regurgitation" and "repair or annuloplasty or reconstruction" and "replacement" in the title/abstract field. The primary outcomes of interest were perioperative mortality and long-term survival. Secondary outcomes were mitral regurgitation (MR) recurrence and reoperation.

RESULTS

Of 276 studies, 13 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 1993 patients were included in these studies, consisting of 1259 (63%) repair cases, and 734 (37%) replacement cases. Perioperative mortality was lower with MVP compared with MVR [OR 0.61; (95% CI, 0.43-0.87; P < .05)]. There was no difference with respect to long-term survival [HR 0.75; (95% CI, 0.52-1.09; P = .14)] and reoperation [OR 0.77; (95% CI, 0.38-1.57; P = .47)]. MVP is associated with a higher recurrence of MR [OR = 4.09; (95% CI, 1.82-9.19; P < .001)].

CONCLUSION

MVP is associated with a lower perioperative mortality but a higher recurrence of MR compared with MVR for severe IMR. No differences were found with respect to long-term survival and reoperation.

Reconstruction of fibrous skeleton: technique, pitfalls and results

Destruction of the mitral-aortic (or mitroaortic) intervalvular fibrosa (IVF) by infective endocarditis is a marker of advanced pathology. Patients are at high risk, as they are sicker, have more comorbidities and have more advanced pathology, requiring a difficult operation that includes debriding and reconstructing the IVF. The anatomy and surgical techniques for that reconstruction are presented and discussed. Operative risk is high and remains high for the first year, before becoming equivalent to that of conventional operations for endocarditis. Current outcomes are better than in the past, but there is room for further improvement.