Background and aim of the study:Mitral Valve( MV) repair and replacement are two independent therapeutic techniques for treating MR. The surgical community has become more aware of the known merits of MV repair compared to replacement. Despite these merits, the results of such outcomes among studies that simultaneously compared the two treatment modalities have not been totally consistent (6). This study aims to compare the early (2 years) postoperative influences of MV repair and MV replacement on cardiac function and postoperative functional status.
Methods: 196 patients with mitral regurgitation (mainly rheumatic) were included in the study, divided into two groups according to the surgery performed. Group I consisted of 76 patients who underwent the MV repair. Group II consisted of 120 patients for whom MV replacement with chordal preservation was done.
Results: both groups were comparable as regard postoperative Echocardiographic Left Ventricle(LV) measurements without significant difference among both groups at the follow up periods. At week of the follow up of LV dimensions, (Ejection Fraction) EF and Fractional Shortening (FS) of both groups showed a non significant reduction compared to the preoperative values. Nonetheless, LV dimensions showed a significant reduction, and LVEF and FS showed a significant increase among both groups at six months, one and tow years follow up, compared to preoperative values. Also Symptoms and NYHA functional class were greatly improved by surgery with no significant difference between the 2 groups.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that Mitral valve surgery (Repair and Replacement) result in significant improvement of left ventricular dimentions and function, and functional class and health status, without significant difference among both groups at tow years follow up. The results also suggest that MV repair should be strongly considered for MR whenever possible and longer periods of follow up is needed to document these findings.