Newswise — Chicago – Patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve repair or replacement (mini-MVR) have similar outcomes as patients undergoing conventional surgery and also experience shorter hospital stays and fewer blood transfusions, according to an article posted online today by The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

MVR is a common treatment for mitral valve disease, including mitral stenosis (when the valve doesn’t allow enough blood flow) and mitral regurgitation (when blood leaks backwards out of the valve).

“Our research is the first multi-institutional study of patients undergoing mini-MVR as compared to traditional surgery,” said Emily A. Downs from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, who led the study. “We believe our results are important as they may facilitate further adoption of mini-MVR and provide patients with more options when faced with surgery.”

Dr. Downs, Gorav Ailawadi, MD, and researchers from a statewide consortium of 18 hospitals in the Virginia Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative examined records for 1,304 patients who underwent isolated MVR from 2011 to 2014. This included 425 (32.6%) who underwent mini-MVR. During traditional MVR, a cardiothoracic surgeon makes a 6- to 8-inch long incision down the center of the sternum (breastbone) to open the chest and provide direct access to the heart. In mini-MVR, the surgeon makes a 2- to 3-inch incision between the ribs on the right chest. The researchers found that patients undergoing mini-MVR had similar rates of mortality, stroke (in contrast to previous research), and other complications compared with conventional MVR. They also found that mini-MVR patients experienced shorter intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, as well as fewer blood transfusions. Total hospital costs were similar between the two groups, despite previous assumptions by the researchers that mini-MVR might lead to higher costs.

“In our experience, mini-MVR is suitable for many patients and is particularly useful in both elderly patients with mobility issues and in young, healthy patients who desire quicker recovery and return to work,” said Dr. Ailawadi. “Patients who are not ideal candidates for mini-MVR include those with severe mitral annular calcification, right ventricular dysfunction, or considerable aortic calcification.”

Adoption of mini-MVR has been slow; however, procedural volume is expected to increase as more results on outcomes and costs become available.

“Mini-MVR may not be appropriate for all centers, surgeons, or patients; however, it should be an essential approach to consider in the armamentarium of an advanced mitral valve center,” said Dr. Ailawadi.

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Down E, Johnston L, LaPar D, Ghanta R, Kron I, Speir A, Fonner C, Kern J, Ailawadi G. Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Provides Excellent Outcomes Without Increased Cost: A Multi-Institutional Analysis. Ann Thoracic Surg 2016; DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.01.084

Note: Dr. Ailawadi disclosed a financial relationship with Mitralign, Abbott Vascular, Edwards LifeSciences, and St. Jude Medical.

For a copy of The Annals article, contact STS Media Relations at 312-202-5865 or [email protected].

Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 7,100 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Society’s mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is the official journal of STS and the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association. It has a 5-year impact factor of 4.104, the highest of any cardiothoracic surgery journal worldwide.