Annuloplasty for Mitral Insufficiency: A Five to Six-Year Clinical and Hemodynamic Follow-Up

Abstract

Nine patients were followed from 5 to 6 years after mitral annuloplasty. Seven of the 9 patients were alive at follow-up, and 3 of 9, 1/3 of the patients, were still improved in class I or II (New York Heart Association classification). All patients were severely disabled in class III or IV before operation. Cardiac catheterization and autopsy data at 3 to 6 years showed some progression in the pathology of the mitral valve in all patients including the 1/3 who maintained symptomatic improvement. Severe lesions at tricuspid or aortic valve, or both, had developed in 4 of the 9 patients. Annulo-plasty probably still has a place in the surgical treatment of selected patients with mitral insufficiency.