OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and predictors of stroke after minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (mini-MVS) and to assess the role of preoperative CT scan on surgical management and neurological outcomes in the large cohort of Mini-Mitral International Registry.

METHODS: Clinical, operative and in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing mini-MVS between 2015 and 2021 were collected. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify predictors of stroke. Finally, the impact of preoperative CT scan on surgical management and neurological outcomes was assessed.

RESULTS: Data from 7343 patients were collected. The incidence of stroke was 1.3% (n = 95/7343). Stroke was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (11.6% vs 1.5%, P < 0.001) and longer intubation time, ICU and hospital stay (median 26 vs 7 h, 120 vs 24 h and 14 vs 8 days, respectively). On multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio 1.039, 95% confidence interval 1.019-1.060, P < 0.001) and mitral valve replacement (odds ratio 2.167, 95% confidence interval 1.401-3.354, P < 0.001) emerged as independent predictors of stroke. Preoperative CT scan was made in 31.1% of cases. These patients had a higher risk profile and EuroSCORE II (median 1.58 vs 1.1, P < 0.001). CT scan influenced the choice of cannulation site, being ascending aorta (18.5% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001) more frequent in the CT group and femoral artery more frequent in the no CT group (97.8% vs 79.7%, P < 0.001). No difference was found in the incidence of postoperative stroke (CT group 1.5, no CT group 1.4%, P = 0.7).

CONCLUSIONS: Mini-MVS is associated with a low incidence of stroke, but when it occurs it has an ominous impact on mortality. Preoperative CT scan affected surgical cannulation strategy but did not led to improved neurological outcomes.