Conclusion
We found the echocardiographic mitral valve complexity score to bemoderately correlated with the previously published surgical
complexity score. This moderate correlation demonstrates that TEE is a
feasible imaging modality to predict the surgical mitral valve
complexity score; importantly, with minimal additional risk, given that
preoperative TEE is already common practice prior to scheduling MV
surgery. Using preoperative TEE to determine the MV complexity score can
allow for early stratification, rather than awaiting intraoperative
evaluation on the open, cross-clamped heart during cardiopulmonary
bypass. Accordingly, by potentially decreasing surgical time and
allowing for referral of patients with complex degenerative MV disease
to surgeons and hospitals with extensive experience in MV repair,
preoperative complexity scoring has the potential to improve patient
experience and postoperative outcomes.