Propensity-Matched Analysis of Minimally Invasive Approach Versus Sternotomy for Mitral Valve Surgery

Grant and colleagues studied short- and midterm outcomes for 639 matched pairs of patients who underwent mitral valve surgery by either sternotomy or a minimally invasive approach at three UK institutions between 2008 and 2016. Patients were included even if they underwent concomitant tricuspid valve surgery or ablation for atrial fibrillation. The median follow-up time was 3.7 years, maximum follow-up was 9.1 years. Reintervention-free survival at eight years was similar in both groups (86.1% and 84.1%), and no differences were found in in-hospital mortality, reoperation during hospital admission, or stroke. Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery had a reduced need for transfusion and a shorter postoperative hospital stay.