Postoperative morbidity and mortality
There was no difference in major complications rate in terms of stroke
rate, pulmonary complications, and acute renal failure and/or need for
dialysis. New-onset atrial fibrillation occurred in 4.1% of MIVT
patients versus 7.8% of the sternotomy patients (p=0.259), after
exclusion of the confounding effect of concomitant ablation therapy. A
significantly shorter hospital stay was noticed in the MIVT group
(median: 13(IQR 4) d vs. 14(IQR 4) d, p=0.016), while ICU stay was
comparable for both groups (sternotomy: 1.4(IQR 1.8) d vs. MIVT:
1.3(IQR1.7) d, p=0.366).
Seven MIVT patients needed intra-operative conversion to median
sternotomy for respectively traumatic laceration of the left atrial
appendage by the Chitwood clamp(n=2), retrograde aortic dissection(n=1),
bleeding of the right ventricle during pacemaker wire insertion(n=1),
circumflex artery occlusion(n=1), and final need for mitral valve
replacement after prolonged attempts of MV repair(n=2).
In-hospital mortality was similar for both groups: MIVT: n=5(2.0%)
patients versus sternotomy: n=1(1.1%)(p=1.000).