Fifteen-year outcome trends for valve surgery in North America

Richard Lee, Shuang Li, J. Scott Rankin, Sean M. O'Brien, James S. Gammie, Eric D. Peterson, Patrick M. McCarthy, Fred H. Edwards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

144 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Although results in valvular heart surgery may be improving, too few cases are available in most centers to quantify changes, especially for uncommon procedural categories. This study examined comprehensively national trends in valve surgery outcomes over the past 15 years. Methods From 1993 through 2007, 623,039 valve procedures were grouped into single aortic (A), mitral (M), and tricuspid (T) operations, along with AM, MT, AT, and AMT multiple valves ± coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Pulmonary valve surgery was excluded. Trends in baseline characteristics were documented, and logistic regression adjusted for differences in patient profiles. Outcomes were expressed as unadjusted operative mortality, adjusted odds ratios for mortality, and a composite of mortality and major complications. Results Single valves comprised 89% of valve surgery and multiple valves, 11%. Preoperative patient risk profiles worsened over time. Mortality rates were higher for multiple valves, but all mortality rates fell significantly over the 15 years (p <0.001). The composite of mortality and major morbidity did not improve, however, largely because of increasing pulmonary/infectious complications. Overall, cardiac etiology accounted for 54% of deaths, and pulmonary/infectious etiologies for 16%. Cardiac etiology of death fell by 16% over time, but pulmonary death and complications increased by 78% and 39%, respectively. Conclusions Preoperative patient profiles for cardiac valve procedures have worsened over time. Risk-adjusted mortalities have fallen for all valve surgery, but remain higher for multiple valves. The finding of increasing pulmonary deaths and complications suggests that prevention and improved management of pulmonary and infectious complications could be an important focus for quality improvement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)677-684
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume91
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fifteen-year outcome trends for valve surgery in North America'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this