Eight-Year Experience of Combined Valve Repair for Mitral Regurgitation and Maze Procedure
Junjiro Kobayashi MD, Yoshikado Sasako MD, Ko Bando MD, Kazuo Niwaya MD, Osamu Tagusari MD, Hiroyuki Nakajima MD, Michiko Ishida MD, Soichiro Kitamura MD

Between May 1992 and April 2001, 85 patients (61 males, 24 females) underwent valve repair for mitral regurgitation (MR) and the maze procedure. Mean age at surgery was 61.8 ± 9.1 years. There was one hospital death, and one late death. One thromboembolic episode was detected during follow up. Reoperation for MR was performed in three patients. The actuarial reoperation-free rate at eight years was 92.5 ± 5.2%. Actuarial event-free survival rate at eight years was 90.0 ± 6.4%. Sinus rhythm was regained in 68 patients (81%), and atrial A-wave was detected in 57 (68%) by pulsed Doppler study. Postoperative left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions were significantly smaller in patients who restored sinus rhythm than in those who did not. Combined mitral valve repair for MR and the maze procedure showed satisfactory mid-term results. Postoperative sinus rhythm conversion by the maze procedure may reduce left ventricular size, and the incidence of thromboembolic episodes in mitral valve repair.