Long-term results of valve repair in children with acquired mitral valve incompetence.

Abstract From March 1969 to March 1984, 89 children aged 2 to 12 years (mean 8.3 +/- 2.5) with acquired mitral valve incompetence underwent mitral repair using Carpentier's techniques. There were 84 cases of rheumatic valve disease, four cases of endocarditis, and one case of Barlow's syndrome. Valve dysfunction was classified into three types: type I (normal leaflet motion), five patients; type II (prolapsed leaflet), 74 patients; and type III (restricted leaflet motion), 10 patients. Cumulative follow-up was 546 patient/years. At 10 years, 90% of the patients were still alive, with an incidence of valve-related death of 5.5%; 98% of the patients were free of thromboembolism, 78% were free of reoperation, and 69% of the patients were free of any complications related to valve repair. We conclude that whenever feasible (92% of the cases in our experience), mitral valve repair using valvuloplasty techniques is the preferred procedure in the surgical treatment of acquired mitral valve incompetence in children.