Baseline and Outcome Characteristics of Multiple Valve Surgery Compared with Single Valve Procedures in Mainland China: A Multicenter Experience.

Background: To compare baseline and outcome characteristics of multiple valve surgery with single-valve procedures in a multicenter patient population of mainland China. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2012, data from 14,322 consecutive patients older than 16 years who underwent heart valve surgery at five cardiac surgical centers (except pulmonary valve operations) were collected. The patients were divided into seven subgroups according to the type of valve procedures, and baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes were contrasted between all seven combinations of single-valve and multiple-valve procedures involving aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves. Two independent logistic regression analyses were performed and multivariable risk factors for mortality were compared, with emphasis on single-valve versus multiple-valve surgery. Results: Baseline characteristics for MUV procedures (n = 8945) shared many differences to those for single-valve procedures (n = 5377). Proportion of females, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular disease, renal impairment, congestive heart failure, NHYA class III-IV, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and decreased ejection fraction were more common in MUV subgroups, and smoker, hypertension, dyslipidemia, active infectious endocarditis, and coronary bypass graft was less frequent. In-hospital mortality was higher for MUV as compared with single-valve procedures (2.4% versus 1.6%, P = .007). Preoperative independent predictors for mortality of patients undergoing MUV procedures were age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, dialysis, congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, NYHA class III-IV, mitral stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, mitral valve replacement, and concomitant CABG. However, risk factors for mortality were relatively different between single-valve and MUV procedures. Conclusion: Baseline characteristics and epidemiology were different between MUV and single-valve procedures. The in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications for MUV procedures remained considerably higher and determinants of mortality were relatively different across procedures types. These findings serve as a benchmark for further studies, as well as suggest a continued search for explanations of MUV outcomes.