The preferred approach for mitral valve surgery after CABG: Right thoracotomy, hypothermia and avoidance of LIMA-LAD graft

J. G. Byrne, A. N. Karavas, D. H. Adams, L. Aklog, S. F. Aranki, F. Filsoufi, L. H. Cohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and aim of the study: An alternative to avoid redo sternotomy in patients with patent left internal mammary artery-left anterior descending coronary artery (LIMA-LAD) grafts undergoing mitral valve surgery is right thoracotomy with moderate-deep hypothermia (∼20°C) and fibrillatory arrest without aortic cross-clamping. Few reports exist which directly compare re-sternotomy and right thoracotomy. Methods: Between July 1992 and February 2000, 47 patients (39 males, eight females; median age 66 years; range: 41-83 years; 41 in NYHA class III or IV) with patent LIMA-LAD grafts underwent mitral valve surgery. Thirty-seven patients were approached through a right thoracotomy with moderate-deep hypothermia (median 20°C) and fibrillatory arrest (right thoracotomy group), and 10 were approached through a re-sternotomy, with aortic cross-clamping and cardioplegic arrest. The median ejection fraction was 42% (range: 20-71%). Univariate analysis was used to determine predictors of outcome, as well as to evaluate differences in characteristics between groups. Results: Operative mortality (OM) and perioperative myocardial infarction for the entire cohort was 11% and 10%, respectively, and there were no inter-group differences. No preoperative characteristics were associated with OM. Two LIMA-LAD graft injuries occurred in the re-sternotomy group compared with none in the right thoracotomy group (20% versus 0%, p = 0.04). Transfusion requirements were also greater in the redo sternotomy group (median 7 versus 2 packed red blood cell units, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Right thoracotomy with moderate-deep hypothermia and fibrillatory arrest is the preferred approach for reoperative mitral valve surgery after coronary artery bypass grafting in the presence of patent LIMA-LAD grafts. These data suggest that this approach is associated with decreased incidence of LIMA-LAD graft injury, as well as reduced transfusion requirements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)584-590
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Heart Valve Disease
Volume10
Issue number5
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

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