Background: To determine the incidence and risk factors of mortality and morbidity in valvular reoperations.
Methods: Between January 1993 and December 2003, 309 valvular reoperations were performed. The reasons for reoperations were reconstructive surgery in first operation (110 patients, 35.5%), prosthetic valve endocarditis (12 patients, 3.8%), periprosthetic leakage (32 patients, 10.3%), new valve degenerations (12 patients, 3.8%), bioprosthetic dysfunction (92 patients, 29.7%), acute thrombotic stuck valve (30 patients, 9.7%), and pannus formation (21 patients, 6.7%). Mitral valves were replaced in 235 patients, aortic valves were replaced in 32 patients, 24 patients had aortic and mitral valve replacements, 2 patients had mitral and tricuspid valve replacements, and reconstruction of periprosthetic leakage was held in 16 patients. 264 patients had elective surgery, whereas 45 were operated on emergency basis.
Results: Hospital mortality was 14.23%. Mortality rate was found to be 10.6% for elective cases and 35.5% for emergency cases. Permanent pacemaker was required in 12 patients, 3 patients had cerebrovascular events, and mediastinitis was observed in 1 patient. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age > 60 (P = .006; OR 7.3, 95% CI 1.7-30.1), emergency surgery (P = .001; OR 8.1, 95% CI 2.4-27.7), preoperative cerebrovascular accident (P = .003; OR 11.8, 95% CI 2.458.7), and concomitant ascending aorta replacement (P < .001; OR 27.4, 95% CI 6-127) were independent risk factors.
Conclusion: Valvular reoperations can be carried out with acceptable morbidity and mortality in elective operations but mortality rates are still very high in emergent cases.