Long-Term Outcomes of External Repair as a Rescue Operation for Atrioventricular Groove Disruption

Mitral valve surgery complicated by atrioventricular groove disruption has a high mortality rate.  The authors describe results of an external repair for this injury, directly suturing the atrioventricular groove.  In a 20-year experience involving over 3,000 mitral valve operations, 13 such injuries occurred.  30-day and hospital mortality were 15% and 23%.  1-year survival was 73%.   The external repair approach appears to offer favorable results after this devastating complication.