Incidence of valvular regurgitation and leaflet perforation by using automated titanium fasteners (CORKNOT®) in heart valve repair or replacement: less usual than reported

Background CORKNOT® facilitates a reduction in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross clamp (ACC) time and operative time, but reported to be associated with other complications. We aim to quantify the incidence of valvular complications related to CORKNOT® and determine the feasibility of its use between different valvular surgeries. Methods Patients who underwent heart valve repair or replacement surgery via the use of automated titanium suture fasteners (CORKNOT®) in a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. This single-centre retrospective study was conducted on 132 patients between January 2016 and June 2018. Results In our study, the overall mean operative time was 320.0 ± 97.0 min, mean CPB time was 171.4 ± 76.0 min and the calculated mean ACC time was 105.9 ± 54.0 min. Fifty-eight patients (43.9%) underwent minimally invasive valve replacement or repair surgery and 66 patients (50.0%) underwent concomitant procedures. A total of 157 valves were operated on, with 112 (84.8%) single valve surgeries, 15 (11.4%) double valve surgeries and 5 (3.8%) triple valve surgeries. After reviewed by the cardiologist blinded towards the study, we report trivial and/or mild paravalvular leak (PVL) in immediate post-operative echocardiography was found in 1 (1.01%) patients. There were no reported cases of valvular thrombosis, leaflet perforation, device dislodgement or embolization, moderate and/or severe PVL during hospitalization and follow-up echocardiography within 1 year. Single mitral valve and aortic surgeries had comparable incidences of post surgical complications. Conclusion We conclude the feasibility of CORKNOT® utilisation in mitral and aortic valve surgeries. Additionally, incidence of CORKNOT® related complications in heart valve repair or replacement surgery is less usual in our setting than previously reported. These results motivate the use of CORKNOT® as a valid alternative with complete commitment.

Long-term results of triple valve repair in rheumatic heart disease

Background The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical outcomes of triple valve repair for rheumatic heart disease in terms of both early results and long-term benefits. Methods Between January 2008 and December 2016, all the patients who underwent triple valve repair for rheumatic heart disease were included in this study. Results Thirty-eight patients underwent triple valve repair procedure for rheumatic heart disease at our institute. Mean age was 33 years; 60.5% were females. Techniques used to achieve mitral valve repair were: commisurotomy (n = 26), prosthetic ring annuloplasty (n = 9), posterior teflon annuloplasty (n = 23), leaflet shaving (n = 14), implantation of neochordae (n = 5) and pericardial patch augmentation of mitral valve leaflets (n = 6). For aortic valve repair, the techniques used were: commisurotomy (n = 23), leaflet shaving (n = 16), pericardial patch augmentation (n = 3), subcommisural plication (n = 10), free margin plication (n = 2) and free margin resuspension (n = 1). Tricuspid valve repair was performed using modified Devega's technique (n = 32), commisurotomy (n = 9) and posterior annular plication (bicuspidization) (n = 5). The operative mortality was 0%. There was no primary repair failure. Estimated survival at the end of 1 year, 5 years and 10 years was 100%, 91.6% and 65.8%, respectively. Overall freedom from reintervention at 1, 5 and 10 years was 100%, 96.4% and 61.4, respectively. Conclusion Triple valve repair provided satisfactory early and long-term results in this challenging subset of patients and can be considered as an acceptable option for significant triple valve disease due to the absence of anticoagulation-related events.

Hepatorenal Dysfunction Predicts Operative Mortality After Triple Valve Surgery: Utility of MELD-Na

Background Despite significant advancements in operative techniques and myocardial protection, triple valve surgery (TVS) remains a formidable operation with a relatively high in-hospital mortality. We evaluated the prognostic value of Model for End-stage Liver Disease score including sodium (MELD-Na) for mortality after TVS and its predictive value when incorporated in the EuroSCORE risk model. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 61 consecutive patients who underwent TVS from November 2005 to June 2016. Demographics, clinical, biochemical, and operative data were collected and analysed. Results Median follow-up duration was 8.0 years. 70.5% of patients suffered from rheumatic heart disease. 86.9% underwent mechanical double valve replacement with tricuspid valve repair. There were six operative deaths (9.84%), with the most common cause of death being multiorgan failure (83.3%). 26.2% had a moderately elevated MELD-Na score of 9 to 15, and 4.9% had a severely elevated score of >15. Patients with a MELD-Na >9 had a higher unadjusted rate of operative mortality, prolonged ventilation, need for dialysis and acute liver failure after TVS. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed using logistic EuroSCORE as the base model. After risk adjustment, each point of MELD-Na score increase was associated with 1.405 times increase in odds of operative mortality. The regression analysis was repeated by incorporating individual components of the MELD-Na score, including bilirubin, sodium, and albumin. All three biochemical parameters were significantly associated with operative mortality Conclusion MELD-Na score as a quantifier of hepatorenal dysfunction is sensitive and specific for mortality after triple valve surgery.