INTRODUCTION
Surgical mitral valve (MV) repair is the treatment of choice for mitral regurgitation (MR) due to degenerative disease with high valve reparability, repair durability and freedom from reoperation rates readily established [1, 2]. When the results of MV repair are examined in further detail, the problem of elevated postrepair gradients following an otherwise successful repair has emerged as a subject of debate [3–5].
The problem of elevated postrepair MV gradients was initially described in patients after restrictive mitral annuloplasty for ischaemic MR [4] but may also be of clinical importance in patients with degenerative MR [3, 5]. To justify the growing enthusiasm for early surgery of yet asymptomatic patients with degenerative MR, optimal patient- and valve-related results are needed. Data on the risk factors and clinical impact of elevated MV gradients following valve repair for degenerative disease remain scarce.
The aim of this study was to analyse the risk factors of elevated postrepair MV gradients and its effect on patient- and valve-related outcomes in a cohort of patients who underwent successful MV repair for degenerative disease.