The Dor procedure for left ventricular reconstruction. Ten-year clinical experience.

Surgical ventricular restoration by means of the Dor procedure is a surgical option in patients with coronary artery disease, postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with or without ventricular tachycardia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 10-year clinical experience of this procedure in our institution. From May 1994 to June 2004, surgical ventricular restoration was performed in 101 patients (77 males), mean age 63.8 (35-80) years. All patients presented with angina and/or heart failure and/or ventricular tachycardia. Postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm was present in 97 patients and ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with a large akinetic left ventricle in 4. The preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 27+/-10 (7-50) %. Multi-vessel disease was present in 80 patients. Ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed in 53 patients (spontaneous VT in 25). Mitral regurgitation more than grade 2 was found in 13 patients. The mean Euroscore was 7.1+/-2.9 (3-17). All patients underwent the Dor procedure, which in 53 patients included a non-guided endocardectomy and cryoablation for treatment of ventricular tachycardia. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 99 patients and a mitral valve procedure was performed in 29. Intra-aortic balloon pumping was used postoperatively in 14 cases and 24 patients needed inotropic support for more than 24 h. Mean time on the ventilator was 16+/-25 (3-168) hours and mean stay in the intensive care unit was 2.1+/-2.2 (0-13) days. Postoperative stroke occurred in 7 patients. Early mortality was 8/101 (7.9%). Mean follow-up in operative survivors was 4.4+/-2.8 (0.1-10.4) years. Actuarial survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 88, 79 and 65%. The Dor procedure is a reproducible surgical option for treatment of postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. Early and long-term results are good in terms of survival.