Valve reoperations--identification of risk factors and comparison with first-time operations.

Fourty-seven patients with a least one heart valve operation each who underwent reoperations (Gr. I) were analyzed with special regard to risk factors influencing the perioperative mortality and compared to 203 patients operated for the first time (Gr. II) during the same time period. Mean age was 57.1 years in Gr. I and 64.1 years in Gr. II (p < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups with regard to sex, smoking, obesity, or concomitant peripheral vascular disease. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were more frequently seen in Gr. I, p < 0.05. A significantly higher number of patients in the redo group (Gr. I) belonged preoperatively to NYHA class III or IV, p < 0.001 and needed emergency surgery more often, p < 0.01, but left-ventricular function did not differ between the groups. There was no significant difference in the position of valves operated or the number of multiple valve replacements/repairs between the groups, and no difference in aortic cross-clamping or cardiopulmonary bypass time. Most patients were referred from other hospitals. Overall perioperative mortality for Gr. I was 6.4% and Gr. II 4.4% (n.s.). Mortality after first reoperation was 5.0%, after second or more 14.3%. Perioperative mortality was related to age, preoperative NYHA class, and urgency of operation in both groups, and to multiple valve replacement/repair in Gr. I. Elective reoperation carried a mortality of 4.8% but emergency reoperation 20%; reoperation mortality was 2.6% for single valves and 25% for multiple valves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)