Surgical treatment of giant left atrium combined with mitral valvular disease. Plication procedure for reduction of compression to the left ventricle, bronchus, and pulmonary parenchyma.

Giant left atrium associated with mitral valvular disease frequently produce postoperative problems with regard to hemodynamical and respiratory management. A new procedure of para-annular and superior plication combined with the conventional right-side plication with trimming of the left atrial wall was devised to relieve compression induced by the giant left atrium. A total of 40 patients with giant left atrium underwent operation. Ten had the valvular procedure only and 30 had the valvular and plication procedures. The plication procedure resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of low-output syndrome and respiratory failure postoperatively, as well as a marked decrease in mortality. We conclude that the plication procedure is an effective means of relieving compression in the presence of giant left atrium.