Long term clinical outcomes following isolated mitral valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: This study reviews the short and long term outcomes of patients who underwent isolated mitral valve replacement at the University of Alberta Hospitals during the past decade. DESIGN: Data were obtained retrospectively by review of patients' hospital charts, cardiologists' follow-up charts, contact with patients' physicians, and direct telephone or mail contact with patients and/or their surviving relatives. RESULTS: The clinical outcomes of 198 consecutive patients (124 women and 74 men) who underwent isolated mitral valve replacement from January 1981 to December 1990 at the University of Alberta Hospital were reviewed. Overall early operative mortality was 11%. Deaths were mainly related to pump failure and previous mitral valve replacement. Late mortality was 17%. Follow-up data were available except in five patients. Average follow-up was 6.3 years. Overall cumulative survival was 72.9 +/- 3.4% at five years and 63.1 +/- 4.8% at 10 years. The cumulative freedom from complications was 64.3 +/- 3.9% and 36.4 +/- 4.9% at five and 10 years, respectively. Long term survival rates obtained after isolated mitral valve replacement are higher than those reported in series of medically treated patients with mitral valve disease. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve replacement can prolong survival as well as improve symptoms in patients with symptomatic mitral valve disease.