Publication Date
6-1-2020
Journal
The Texas Heart Institute Journal
DOI
10.14503/THIJ-18-6913
PMID
32997772
Publication Date(s)
June 2020
Language
English
PMCID
PMC7529069
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
9-30-2020
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-Print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Chordae Tendineae, Echocardiography, Transesophageal, Heart Valve Prosthesis, Humans, Mitral Valve, Mitral Valve Annuloplasty, Mitral Valve Insufficiency, Polypropylenes, Prosthesis Design
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Determining the optimal length of artificial chordae tendineae and then effectively securing them is a major challenge in mitral valve repair. Our technique for measuring and stabilizing neochordae involves tying a polypropylene suture loop onto the annuloplasty ring. We used this method in 4 patients who had moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation from degenerative posterior leaflet (P2) prolapse and flail chordae. Results of intraoperative saline tests and postoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed only mild insufficiency. One month postoperatively, echocardiograms showed trivial regurgitation in all 4 patients. We think that this simple, precise method for adjusting and stabilizing artificial chordae will be advantageous in mitral valve repair.