Stepwise minimally invasive mitral valve repair in Barlow's disease achieved a 100% success rate, with no patients developing moderate or greater MR over a mean 36-month follow-up.
Observational (n=29)
Does a stepwise minimally invasive mitral valve repair strategy provide successful outcomes in patients with Barlow's disease?
A stepwise minimally invasive mitral valve repair strategy for Barlow's disease is feasible and provides excellent mid-term outcomes with a 100% success rate.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mitral regurgitation (MR) in Barlow's disease is complicated because of its mixed pathophysiology, leaflet billowing with or without organic prolapse, and abnormal annular dynamics that cause functional prolapse. Complex repair techniques, including aggressive leaflet resection and implantation of multiple artificial chordae, are conventionally performed; nevertheless, these are technically demanding, especially when performed using a minimally invasive approach. We aimed to standardize the repair technique for Barlow's disease and developed stepwise repair techniques. METHODS: Of 292 patients who underwent isolated minimally invasive mitral valve repair for MR, 29 patients (seven females, age 49 ± 10 years) were found to have Barlow's disease. Our repair technique consists of the following three steps: (a) stabilization of the mitral annulus by placing annuloplasty ring sutures; (b) distinction between organic and functional prolapse by a saline injection test; and (c) targeted repair for organic prolapse by leaflet resection or chordal replacement. RESULTS: Surgical techniques included leaflet resection in 22 patients, chordal replacement in 19 patients, and ring annuloplasty only in one patient. These procedures were applied to the anterior leaflet in one, posterior leaflet in eight, and both leaflets in 19 patients. The median annuloplasty ring size was 34 mm. The repair success rate was 100%. No patients developed moderate or greater MR during a mean follow-up period of 36 ± 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: A stepwise repair strategy facilitates mitral valve repair in patients with Barlow's disease and provides excellent outcomes even via a minimally invasive approach.
Sakaguchi et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Barlow's disease with mitral regurgitation (n=29). Stepwise minimally invasive mitral valve repair was evaluated on Repair success rate. Stepwise minimally invasive mitral valve repair in Barlow's disease achieved a 100% success rate, with no patients developing moderate or greater MR over a mean 36-month follow-up.