Reoperation for Freestyle stentless aortic valves.

Ten patients who initially underwent Freestyle stentless aortic valve implantation required reoperation. The goal of this study was to describe the reoperative techniques used and to review the outcomes of reoperation in patients with Freestyle stentless aortic valves. From September 1992 to April 2001, at the University of Michigan, a total of 552 Freestyle stentless aortic valves were implanted, and in 10 (1.

Prophylactic mitral reconstruction for mitral regurgitation.

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) will produce myocardial dysfunction. The goal of this study was to review outcomes of mitral valve reconstruction in asymptomatic patients with severe MR.

Methods: From 1992 to 2000, 93 asymptomatic patients with degenerative disease and severe MR underwent mitral valve reconstruction.

Surgical alternatives for heart failure.

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the United States. Congestive heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease and its central element is remodeling of the cardiac chamber associated with ventricular dilation. Secondary mitral regurgitation is a complication of end-stage cardiomyopathy and is associated with poor prognosis.

Mitral valve repair in heart failure.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent complication of end-stage heart failure. Historically, these patients were either managed medically or with mitral valve replacement, both associated with poor outcomes. Mitral valve repair via an 'undersized' annuloplasty repair is safe and effectively corrects MR in heart-failure patients.

Current status of mitral valve reconstruction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the United States today and its incidence is increasing. Despite improvements with medical management approximately 50% of patients with CHF die within 3 years of presentation. Heart transplantation is now considered standard treatment for selected patients with severe CHF and end-stage heart disease; however, it is only applicable to a small percentage of patients.