Commissural autologous pericardial patch repair: a novel technique for active mitral valve endocarditis involving the mitral annulus

Left atrial dissection after a supra-annular mitral valve replacement for endocarditis

BACKGROUND

Left atrial dissection is a rare and a potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery. Multi-modal imagery is helpful for the diagnosis and to guide the treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 66-year-old female patient who underwent a combined mitral and aortic valve replacement for degenerative valvular disease. She presented an infectious endocarditis revealed by a third-degree atrioventricular bloc and had a redo mitral- and aortic valve replacement. Mitral valve was inserted in supra-annular position due to annular destruction. Post-operative course was marked by a refractory acute heart failure explained by a left atrial wall dissection confirmed by transoesophageal echocardiography and synchronized cardiac CT-scan. Surgical treatment was theoretically indicated but considering the high risk of a third surgery, a palliative care support was collegially decided.

CONCLUSIONS

Left atrial dissection can occur after a redo surgery and supra-annular mitral valve implantation. Multi-modal imagery including transoesophageal echocardiography and cardiac CT-scan is helpful for the diagnosis.

Mid-term results of mitral valve reconstruction with autologous pericardial patch for active infective endocarditis with extensive leaflet destruction

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of our repair technique using autologous pericardial patches for active infective endocarditis with extensive mitral valve destruction.

METHODS

From 2009 through 2016, 12 patients with extensive mitral leaflet destruction due to infective endocarditis underwent mitral valve repair with an autologous pericardial patch. Mid-term clinical outcomes and echocardiographic findings of these patients were retrospectively assessed.

RESULTS

The perioperative mortality rate was 8.3% (1/12). Postoperatively, the mitral regurgitation grade was ≤ 1 + in all patients. During 5.0 ± 3.2 years of follow-up, there was no recurrence of infective endocarditis or death. There were no cases of mitral regurgitation grade >  + 1 and pressure gradient > 5 mmHg during follow-up among 6 patients who underwent posterior leaflet reconstruction, whereas elevation of the pressure gradient was observed in patients who underwent reconstruction of two areas of the anterior leaflet and survived up till the follow-up phase among 3 patients who underwent anterior leaflet repair. The mitral regurgitation grade worsened and pressure gradient was elevated during the follow-up phase in the 2 patients who underwent bi-leaflet repair, and reoperation was performed.

CONCLUSION

Mitral valve reconstruction using autologous pericardial patch is a useful treatment option for extensive mitral valve destruction due to active infective endocarditis. Our clinical data revealed that good mid-term results were obtained for posterior leaflet lesions, while extensive anterior leaflet and bi-leaflet lesion repair did not yield satisfactory results. The indication for surgical repair should be carefully evaluated when an extensive anterior region is involved.

Modified commissural patch repair in a child with active mitral endocarditis

A 9-year-old patient with massive destruction of the mitral apparatus caused by active infective endocarditis underwent mitral valve plasty using a modified commissural autologous pericardial patch repair. This procedure is a clinically relevant and feasible technique for pediatric patients with active mitral valve endocarditis.

Reconstruction of mitral valve chordae and leaflets with one piece of autologous pericardium in extensively destructed mitral valve due to active infective endocarditis

A 20-year-old female patient underwent urgent surgery for extensive mitral valve endocarditis. All marginal chordae and rough zone of A3 leaflet, posterior commissure leaflet, and P3 leaflet down to the annulus became defective after complete debridement of infected tissues. After annular plication, defective leaflets and chordae were reconstructed with a piece of triangular shaped autologous pericardium. Top of the pericardium was directly attached to the posterior papillary muscle, side edges to remnant leaflets, and the base to the annulus, thus substituting for chordae and leaflets at once. No mitral regurgitation was observed during 3 years of follow-up after the operation.