Methods: Between January 1994 and December 2009, a total of 2089 valve replacements were performed in our clinic, and 182 (112 females, 70 males) of these operations (8.7%) were repeat valve surgeries.

Results: The mean age for repeat surgery was 49.2±27.4 years while the mean time elapsed between the first and second surgeries was 11.8±5.7 years. The follow-up period after repeat surgery was 2.6±1.3 years. Bioprosthesis valves were removed from a total of 142 patients (78%), and mechanical valves were removed from 40 patients (22%). In total, 221 valves were replaced. The total number of valves implanted was 219, and valve repair alone was performed on three patients. Of the valves implanted in repeat surgery, 197 (90%) were mechanical valves. The preoperative echocardiography findings revealed that the major problem (84%) observed was valve dysfunction, followed by infection. Fifteen patients (8.2%) who underwent repeat surgery died during the operation or within the first month afterwards.

Conclusion: Repeat heart valve surgery may be performed using the standard surgical procedures with acceptable mortality. Factors increasing the probability of repeat surgery include emergency interventions and infections; however, pulmonary hypertension is not a factor that increases the probability of repeat valve replacement surgery.