Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) in the treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) with mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent MVP for IE with MR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2016 to December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical incision: those with a right mini-thoracotomy were classified as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) group, and those with a median sternotomy were classified as a median sternotomy (MS) group. All patients had isolated mitral valve involvement. Perioperative data were analyzed, and mid- to long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 86 patients were included, with 40 in the MIS group (22 males and 18 females, with a mean age of 39±15 years ranging from 8 to 71 years) and 46 in the MS group (27 males and 19 females, with a mean age of 49±16 years ranging from 14 to 71 years). The patients in the MIS group were relatively younger (P=0.004) with better preoperative cardiac function (P=0.004). There was no statistical difference in preoperative fever, gender, or comorbidities between the two groups (P>0.05). The MIS group had shorter postoperative ventilation times, less postoperative 24-hour drainage, less blood transfusion, and shorter total hospital stays compared to the MS group (P=0.001, 0.018, 0.005, 0.005). There was no statistical difference in cardiopulmonary bypass times or ICU stays between the two groups (P>0.05). The perioperative complication rates and mortality rates were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Follow-up was conducted for 11-92 months, with a mean duration of 49±19 months and an overall follow-up rate of 91.6%. During the follow-up, 3 patients in each group required reoperation for mitral valve issues, with no statistical difference in incidence (7.5% vs. 6.5%, P=0.691). There were no warfarin-related complications, recurrences, or deaths in either group during follow-up. Multivariate regression analysis identified age, preoperative cardiac function, and surgeon experience as influencing factors for the choice of surgical approach. Conclusion Minimally invasive MVP for IE with MR is relatively safe in the perioperative period and shows significant efficacy, with clear mid- to long-term outcomes. It is recommended for younger patients with better preoperative cardiac function and when performed by surgeons with extensive experience in mitral valvuloplasty.
Objective To share clinical experience of minimally invasive technique in surgical treatment of cardiac tumors. Methods Clinical data of 50 patients with cardiac tumors who underwent surgical teatment in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2011 to September 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 18 males and 32 females aged from 32 to 65 years (mean age 47 years). Cardiac tumors were located in the left atrium in 44 (88%) patients and right atrium in 6 (12%) patients. Results There was no in-hospital death. All patients recovered well without any complications. Mean total operating, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp time was 148±45 min, 56±23 min, 26±16 min, respectively. The average time to extubation was 5±3 hours and the median length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the hospital was 9±6 hours and 5±3 days, respectively. All patients were followed up for 1 to 44 months without tumor recurrence except one. Conclusion Minimally invasive technique in surgical treatment of cardiac tumors via right anterolateral thoracotomy is a safe and feasible method with good cosmetic results and rapid postoperative recovery, and is worthy of clinical selective application for treatment of benign cardiac tumor.