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).