J Heart Valve Dis
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Rheumatic fever is still the main cause of valve disease in developing countries. The study aim was to investigate the appropriateness of mitral valve repair in adult patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). ⋯ Mitral valve repair provides better short-term and long-term event-free survival for rheumatic patients. With an acceptable reoperation rate, MVP is also more beneficial by avoiding troublesome lifelong anticoagulation. Thus, whenever possible, MVP should be attempted in patients with RHD.
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Aortic valve replacement (AVR) after previous cardiac surgery is usually associated with an increased risk profile. The study aim was to compare the outcome after AVR through an upper 'J' ministernotomy compared to a standard full sternotomy approach in a redo operation. ⋯ Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery reoperation through an upper 'J' sternotomy proved to be at least as safe as the standard procedure in terms of hospital morbidity and mortality rates.
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The long-term outcomes of early surgery in patients with asymptomatic severe chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) and the impact of preoperative left ventricular dysfunction, atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or pulmonary hypertension (PH) on outcomes in this patient group, were evaluated. ⋯ Early surgery for asymptomatic chronic MR demonstrated excellent early and late outcomes. The study results failed to confirm that preoperative left ventricular dysfunction, AF and/or PH were significantly associated with adverse outcomes of early mitral valve surgery in this patient group.