Results
The SLV group was older, had more females, and had a higher proportion of multicomponent operations. For isolated AVR, partial upper hemisternotomy was more frequent in SLV. The median cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp times for isolated SLV were significantly lower than SAVR.
SLV had a risk-adjusted 11.3% permanent pacemaker (PPM) rate vs 6.1% in SAVR (p=0.016). There were no differences in other postoperative complications (postoperative atrial fibrillation, stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation; P>.05 for all). Mortality at any time did not differ between groups. Median hospital costs were higher in the SLV group, likely due to permanent pacemaker rate leading to longer length of stay.