Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through a right anterolateral mini-thoracotomy for the treatment of octogenarians with aortic valve stenosis.

Because of concerns about the high risk of perioperative complications, the feasibility of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) for elderly patients remains controversial. Here, we review our results of MIAVR in octogenarians with aortic valve stenosis (AS). Between October 2012 and December 2017, 110 patients with AS underwent MIAVR via a right anterolateral mini-thoracotomy; 41 patients were octogenarian (Group O). The perioperative outcomes of these patients were compared with those of the 69 patients who were less than 80 years of age (Group Y). A preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in all patients to guide the patient selection and aid the decision regarding cannulation sites. Among all cases of isolated aortic valve replacement, MIAVR accounted for 47% cases during this study period. The mean age of Group O was 83.6 ± 2.9 years, with a maximum age of 89. In Group O, there were no in-hospital deaths or morbidity, including stroke. The rate of blood transfusion was significantly higher in Group O than in Group Y (P = 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in ventilation time, the length of intensive care unit stay, the length of hospital stay, or in the rates of cumulative survival and freedom from valve-related complications. With careful patient selection and a perfusion strategy based on preoperative CT scan, equivalent outcomes of MIAVR were even achieved in octogenarians.