Long‐term results after reconstruction of a new annulus in heavily calcified mitral annulus

Background and Aim of the Study In 2009 our group described a new surgical technique for patients with severe mitral valve calcification undergoing mitral valve surgery. This technique creates a new mitral annulus with plication of the mitral leaflet and the atrial wall. Our objective is to report the long‐term results of the experience at our institution. Materials, Methods, and Results From 2007 to 2016, a total of 18 patients (mean age 70.5 ± 7.8 years) underwent mitral valve replacement at our institution with this technique. One patient died on the second postoperative day. Clinical and echocardiographic in‐hospital and long‐term follow‐up (55.5 ± 40.4 months) were performed on all the remaining 17 patients. Functional improvement was achieved in all patients. Two patients died 6 and 8 years after surgery (cancer and hemorrhagic stroke). No prosthetic dysfunction, periprosthetic leak, or annular dehiscence were detected in the long‐term echocardiographic examinations. Conclusions The reconstruction of the mitral annulus by using our technique in patients with severe calcification of the mitral annulus has low long‐term mortality, good functional results, and a lack of prosthetic complications.