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.