Status of cardiovascular surgery in Japan between 2017 and 2018: A report based on the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database. 3. Valvular heart surgery

Objectives: We aimed to present data regarding the current status and trends of valvular heart surgeries in Japan from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database for the 2017–2018. Methods: We extracted data on cardiac valve surgeries performed in 2017 and 2018 from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database. We determined the trend in the number of aortic valve replacement procedures from 2013 to 2018. The operative mortality rates were calculated for representative valve procedures stratified by age group. Data regarding minimally invasive procedures and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database are also presented. Results: In conjunction with the dramatic increase in the number of transcatheter aortic valve replacements in 2017 and 2018, surgical aortic valve replacement also increased from 26,054 to 28,202. The operative mortality rate in first-time valve procedures was 1.8% in isolated aortic valve replacement, 0.9% in isolated mitral valve repair, and 8.2% and 4.6% in mitral valve replacement with biological prostheses and with mechanical prostheses, respectively. Regarding minimally invasive procedures, 30.8% of first-time isolated mitral valve plasty procedures were performed by a right thoracotomy. Although patients who underwent surgery by a right thoracotomy had better clinical outcomes, it was also apparent that patients who underwent surgery by a right thoracotomy had lower operative risk profiles. The overall mortality rates after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement were 1.5% and 1.8%, respectively. Conclusion: We have reported benchmark data on heart valve surgery in 2017 and 2018 from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database.