Systolic time intervals were studied in a total of 83 patients with pure or predominant isolated valvular heart disease. They consisted of three groups of patients : namely, 38 cases of mitral stenosis, 25 cases of mitral regurgitation and 20 cases of aortic regurgitation. The mean of the electromechanical systole was within normal ranges in all three groups, and threre was no significant difference between the groups. The mean of the left ventriclar ejection time was also within normal limits in all groups, as was that of the electromechanical systole, but it was significantly shorter in patients with mitral regurgitation than in the others, and was significantly longer in patients with aortic regurgitation. The mean of the pre-ejection period and the ratio of the pre-ejection period to the left ventricular ejection time were within normal ranges in patients with aortic regurgitation, whereas both parameters were significantly increased in patients with mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation, particularly in the latter.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Heart Valve Diseases* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Reference Values ; Systole*

BACKGROUND: Surgery for mitral valve disease in children carries both technical and clinical difficulties that are due to both the wide spectrum of morphologic abnormalities and the high incidence of associated cardiac anomalies. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcome of mitral valve surgery for treating congenital mitral regurgitation in children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From 1997 to 2007, 22 children (mean age: 5.4 years) who had congenital mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve repair. The median age of the patients was 5.4 years old and four patients (18%) were under 12 months of age. 15 patients (68%) had cardiac anomalies. There were 13 cases of ventricular septal defect, 1 case of atrial septal defect and 1 case of supravalvar aortic stenosis. The grade of the preoperative mitral valve regurgitation was II in 4 patients, III in 15 patients and IV in 3. The regurgitation was due to leaflet prolapse in 12 patients, annular dilatation in 4 patients and restrictive leaflet motion in 5 patients. The preoperative MV Z-value and the regurgitation grade were compared with those obtained at follow-up. RESULT: MV repair was possible in all the patients. 19 patients required reduction annuloplasty and 18 patients required valvuloplasty that included shortening of the chordae, papillary muscle splitting, artificial chordae insertion and cleft closure. There were no early or late deaths. The mitral valve regurgitation after surgery was improved in all patients (absent=10, grade I=5, II=5, III=2). MV repair resulted in reduction of the mitral valve Z-value (2.2+/-.1 vs. 0.7+/-.3, respectively, p<0.01). During the mid-term follow-up period of 3.68 years, reoperation was done in three patients (one with repair and two with replacement) and three patients showed mild progression of their mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Our experience indicates that mitral valve repair in children with congenital mitral valve regurgitation is an effective and reliable surgical method with a low reoperation rate. A good postoperative outcome can be obtained by preoperatively recognizing the intrinsic mitral valve pathophysiology detected on echocardiography and with the well-designed, aggressive application of the various reconstruction techniques.
Aortic Stenosis, Supravalvular ; Child ; Dilatation ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Papillary Muscles ; Prolapse ; Reoperation

Aortic regurgitation is a common valvular heart disease, usually the result of rheumatic fever, or syphilis, and rarely of congenital origin. It is frequently associated with other valvular heart disease, especially mitral valve disease. It can be diagnosed by the presence of pulse pressure widening, a Corrigan pulse, and an early decreascendo diastolic murmur at the left sternal border between the second and third intercostal spaces. After the clinical application of cineaortography in the diagnosis of valvular disease, Segal et al (1964) first reported rheumatic aortic regurgitation without an audible murmur in patients having mitral valve disease. The importance of discovering aortic reguritation in patients with predominent mitral disease has begun to be appreciated recently, especially as commisurotomies for the relief of mitral stenosis are performed more frequently. Nowadays eventhough the severity of aortic regurgitation is often not evident preoperatively, aortic regurgitation can become very evident when mitral stenosis is relieved. This study was comprised of seventeen patients with silent aortic regurgitation which was confirmed by cineaortography at Severance Hospital from January, 1970 to August, 1976. 1. Of the seventeen patients, 12 patients were associated with mitral stenosis, 4 with mitral steno-insufficiency, and 1 with mitral insufficiency. 2. Silent aortic regurgitation was suggested from the accompanying clinical features such as chest pain, apical heaving, and left ventficular hypertrophy pattern on both roentgenogram of the chest and electrocardiogram. 3. The severity of the aortic regurgitation was mild to moderate; 7 of the 17 patients being grade I, and 10 patients being grade II on cineaortogram.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency* ; Blood Pressure ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Murmurs ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Rheumatic Fever ; Syphilis ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: In the background of increasing silver, the measurement of risk factors of cardiovascular system and abilities of controlling that of the aged are becoming the interest. 'Old age' is one of the risk factors of postoperative cardiovascular complication. We summarized diseases, discovered when randomly examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and frequencies of the diseases in old aged, older than 60 years. So we could discuss the clinical impact of preoperative TTE at resting state over 60 year old for postoperative cardiovascular system of noncardiac surgery. METHODS: For the period 15months, from September 1, 1999 to January 10, 2001, we examined patients who are older than 60 years, to be scheduled to undergo operation of noncardiac surgery, by using SONOS 1000, made by Hewlett-Packkard, USA. 933 patients (595 men and 337 women) were examined. RESULTS: We examined 993 patients, 595 men (63.8%) and 337 women (36.2%), who were aged from 60 years to 93 years (average 68.5+/-7.1 years old). 87.2% of patients had left ventricular relaxation abnormatilties, average ejection fraction at resting state was 62.0+/-6.8%, which is in normal range and left ventricular end diastolic diameter was 49.2+/-5.4 mm. Becoming older, average left ventricular ejection fraction is decreasing, average of desceleration time and IVRT, parameters of LV relaxation abnormality, are increasing but they are not stastically meaningful.There were four cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (0.4%) in which two cases were incidentally discovered by TTE and they had no specific past histories. 38 persons (4.1%) had pulmonary hypertension (RVSP, higher than 35 mmHg) and they had no specific complication at the operations and postoperative state. In 3 of the patients who had pulmonary hypertension, one was incidentally discovered, had Atrial septal defect and all of three had normal LV function. In our study there were 333 patients (35.7%) of Mitral regurgitation and 343 patients (36.8%) of aortic insufficiency which are pathologic change of aging, and patients severe than grade III were 3 patients (0.3%). One was treated by postoperative congestive heart failure at intensive care unit and other 2 patients could not be followed because of transfer and against discharge. 3 patients was diagnosed by Mitral valve prolapse of patients of Mitral regurgitation (0.3%). In case of Aortic valve stenosis, most popular vavular heart disease in old aged patients, have no symptom unless that is severe, often incidentally discover at TTE in our study at pre-operative state. There were 10 patients of aortic valve stenosis (1.1% frequency), 9 cases were mild ones and remaining one case was severe and received aortic valve replacement at Chest surgery department. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease that incidentally discovered at TTE in resting state is similar with the result of the reference in for the old aged population and the group of patients who had no symptom at resting state, could have risks of cardiovascular disease. We cannot predict all of the postoperative cardiovascular complication and risks with TTE at resting state in old age patients, but it was useful for screening of valvular diseases, congenital cardiac disease, pulmonary hypertension. It is also good for carrying out before stress TTE with exercise or dopamine. It has an important role for making decision of performing other stress tests in patients who have cardiovascular risk factors and grouping that need to have intervention therapy like the coronary angiography or not. Besides monitoring the cardiovascular system at operation and postoperation periods, medication during the preoperation period and surgical treatments when cardiovascular abnormalities found at TTE, cardiologic medical treatments are needed to lower the postoperative complication rates and improve the prognosis.
Aging ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cardiovascular System ; Coronary Angiography ; Dopamine ; Echocardiography* ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Prolapse ; Postoperative Complications ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Relaxation ; Risk Factors ; Silver ; Stroke Volume ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe aortic valve disease frequently display mitral valve regurgitation (MR). In such patients, the clinical course of MR after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) may be important for determining the treatment strategies. After isolated AVR, the change of the concomitant moderate degree or less of MR according to the type of aortic valve disease is not known well. The aim of this study was to analyze the postoperative changes of MR after performing AVR in those patients with severe AS (Group S) and those with severe AR (Group R). MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated 43 patients with severe aortic disease and a moderate degree or less of mitral valve regurgitation, and these patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement from January 1996 to June 2005. The patients were divided into two groups: the aortic valve stenosis group (n = 29) and the aortic valve regurgitation group (n = 14). The patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively and at 7 days, 6~10 months and more than 18 months (mean follow-up duration: 38 months) postoperatively. RESULT: The mean age was 60.9 years (Group S: 62 years, Group R: 52.5 years) and 60% (Group S=55%, Group R=71%) of the patients were male. The preoperative MR was mild in 29 (67.5%), mild to moderate in 11 (25.5%), and moderate in 3 (6.9%) patients. In the Group S patients, MR improved in 16 (55%) patients at the immediate postoperative days and in 17 (59%) patients at more than 18 months postoperatively. On the other hand, all the Group R patients exhibited earlier improvement. The decrease of LA size had a similar pattern to the MR change, but there were no significant differences in the change of the ejection fraction of the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the patients with severe aortic valve disease and concomitant low grade MR, the MR after AVR improved earlier and more effectively in the patients with AR than in those patients with AS.
Aortic Diseases ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortic Valve* ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Pathology* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the pattern of myocardial fibrosis in various valvular heart diseases (VHD), the morphometric data of the myocardial tissue and serum biochemical markers of myocardial fibrosis were analyzed in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 21 patients with AS, 23 with AR and 29 with MR. The serum levels of aminoterminal propeptide, of type I/III procollagen (PINP/PIIINP), and fibronectin were measured to estimate the synthesis of the extracelluar matrix. The carboxy-terminal telopeptide collagen type I (CITP), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1, collagenase) and the tissue inhibitor, metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), were also measured to estimate the collagen degradation and metabolism activities. The left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated by echocardiography. Of the patients, myocardial tissue was obtained during surgery in 11 with AS, 8 with AR and 13 with MR;the collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated using picrosirius red staining. RESULTS: The LVM was significantly larger in the AS and AR groups compared to the MR group (p<0.001), and the CVF also showed significant differences (13+/-3% in AS, 10+/-3% in AR, and 6+/-3% in MR, p<0.001). The fibronectin level was significantly elevated in the AS and AR groups than the MR group (p<0.001), whereas the CITP and MMP-1 levels were significantly higher in the MR group (p<0.05). The PINP/PIIINP showed no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05), and the biochemical markers were no different between the AS and AR groups (p>0.05). Fibronectin was the only parameter showing a positive correlation with both the CVF (r=0.388, p=0.01) and the left ventricular mass (r=0.278, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Different mechanisms for the matrix synthesis and degradation were present for the maintenance of myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy according to the type of VHD, and fibronectin, a major non-collagenous extracelluar matrix, was proved to be an important factor associated with cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Biomarkers ; Cardiomegaly ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Echocardiography ; Fibronectins ; Fibrosis* ; Heart Valve Diseases* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; Metabolism ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Procollagen

The burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is increasing with age, and the elderly patients with moderate or severe VHD are notably common. When to operate in asymptomatic patients with VHD remains controversial. The controversy is whether early surgical intervention should be preferred, or a watchful waiting approach should be followed. The beneficial effects of early surgery should be balanced against operative mortality and long-term results. Indications of early surgery in each of the VHD will be discussed in this review on the basis of the latest American and European guidelines.
Aged ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Endocarditis ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mortality ; Watchful Waiting

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is one of the most prevalent of all arrhythmias and in up to 79% of the patients with mitral valve disease. This study examined whether the atrial fibrillation that occur in patients with mitral valve operation could be eliminated by a concommitant maze operation without cryoablation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May 1997 to April 1998, 14 patients with atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease underwent Maze III operation without cryoablation. Preoperatively there were 6 men and 8 women with an average age of 46.2+/-10.7 years. Eleven patients had mitral stenosis, and three had mitral insufficiency. The associated heart diseases were aortic valve disease in 4, tricuspid valve regurgitation in 1 and ASD in 2. Using transthoracic echocardiography, the mean left atrial diameters was 54.7+/-5.3 mm and thrombi were found in the left atrium of 2 patients. Postoperatively the ratio between the peak speed of the early filling wave and that of the atrial contraction wave (A/E ratio) was determined from transmitral flow measurement. Operations were mitral valve replacement in 13 including 4 aortic valve replacements, 1 DeVega annuloplasty and 2 ASD closures. Maze III operation was performed in 1 patient. RESULT: Five patients (38%) had recurred atrial fibrillation, which was reversed with flecainide or amiodarone at the average time of postoperative 38.8+/-23.5 days. Postoperative complications were postoperative transient junctional rhythm in 6, transient atrial fibrillation in 5, reoperation for bleeding in 3, postpericardiotomy syndrome(1), unilateral vocal cord palsy(1), postoperative psychosis(1), and myocardial infarction(1). Postoperatively A/E ratio was 0.43+/-0.22 and A wave found in 9(64%) patients. 3 to 14 months postoperatively (average follow- up, 8.1 months), all of patients had normal sinus rhythm and 9(64%) patients had left atrial contraction and 11(79%) patients were not on a regimen of antiarrhythmic medication. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Maze III operation without cryoablation is an effective surgical treatment in atrial fibrillation associated with the mitral valve disease.
Amiodarone ; Aortic Valve ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cryosurgery* ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Flecainide ; Heart Atria ; Heart Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Vocal Cords

During the period from january, 1972, to march, 1979, Twenty-four patients underwent mitral valve replacement at the seoul national University Hospital. Their ages ranged from 8 years to 20 years, with 11 patients being 16 years of age or younger at the time of operation. There were 12 males and 12 females and their weight ranged from 25 to 53 Kilograms. Seventeen patients had advanced stages of heart disease as evidenced by the functional classification: 14 cases were in functional class III and 3 cases in functional class IV (New York heart Association). A history suggestive of rheumatic fever was elicited in 75 per cent of our patients. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated marked cardiomegaly in the majority of the patients. The cardiothoracic ratio was over 70 per cent in 5 patients and between 60 and 70 per cent in 17 patients. Cardiac catheterization was carried out in all patients before operation. There were 3 patients with evidence of severe pulmonary hypertension. In 2 patients the pulmonary artery pressures were normal. On physical and hemodynamic examinations, 3 patients had associated with aortic regurgitation, 2 patients had tricuspid regurgitation, 1 patient had tricuspid and aortic regurgitations and 3 patients had atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect or transposition of great arteries. The pathologic findings of the mitral valve indicated rheumatic valvulitis in 16 patients, while in the remaining 7 the etiology was undetermined. In only one patient the cause was congenital cardiac anomaly. Seventeen patients had predominant mitral regurgitation and 7 patients predominant mitral stenosis. Twenty-nine cardiac prosthetic and bioprosthetic valves were replaced in 24 patients in the past 8 years. This series included 24 mitral, 4 aortic and 1 tricuspid valve replacement. Including in this group were patients who had concomitant aortic valve replacement(3 patients), tricuspid valve replacement(1 patient), tricuspide annuloplasty and closure of ventricular septal defect(1 patient), and closure of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defec(3 patients). There were five deaths in the postoperative period, resulting in an operative mortality rate of 20.8 per cent. high postoperative mortality was seen in the patients with associated aortic valvular disease and congenital cardiac anomaly.
Adolescent* ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiomegaly ; Child* ; Classification ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Mortality ; Postoperative Period ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rheumatic Fever ; Seoul ; Transposition of Great Vessels ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

During the period from january, 1972, to march, 1979, Twenty-four patients underwent mitral valve replacement at the seoul national University Hospital. Their ages ranged from 8 years to 20 years, with 11 patients being 16 years of age or younger at the time of operation. There were 12 males and 12 females and their weight ranged from 25 to 53 Kilograms. Seventeen patients had advanced stages of heart disease as evidenced by the functional classification: 14 cases were in functional class III and 3 cases in functional class IV (New York heart Association). A history suggestive of rheumatic fever was elicited in 75 per cent of our patients. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated marked cardiomegaly in the majority of the patients. The cardiothoracic ratio was over 70 per cent in 5 patients and between 60 and 70 per cent in 17 patients. Cardiac catheterization was carried out in all patients before operation. There were 3 patients with evidence of severe pulmonary hypertension. In 2 patients the pulmonary artery pressures were normal. On physical and hemodynamic examinations, 3 patients had associated with aortic regurgitation, 2 patients had tricuspid regurgitation, 1 patient had tricuspid and aortic regurgitations and 3 patients had atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect or transposition of great arteries. The pathologic findings of the mitral valve indicated rheumatic valvulitis in 16 patients, while in the remaining 7 the etiology was undetermined. In only one patient the cause was congenital cardiac anomaly. Seventeen patients had predominant mitral regurgitation and 7 patients predominant mitral stenosis. Twenty-nine cardiac prosthetic and bioprosthetic valves were replaced in 24 patients in the past 8 years. This series included 24 mitral, 4 aortic and 1 tricuspid valve replacement. Including in this group were patients who had concomitant aortic valve replacement(3 patients), tricuspid valve replacement(1 patient), tricuspide annuloplasty and closure of ventricular septal defect(1 patient), and closure of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defec(3 patients). There were five deaths in the postoperative period, resulting in an operative mortality rate of 20.8 per cent. high postoperative mortality was seen in the patients with associated aortic valvular disease and congenital cardiac anomaly.
Adolescent* ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiomegaly ; Child* ; Classification ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Mortality ; Postoperative Period ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rheumatic Fever ; Seoul ; Transposition of Great Vessels ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency