Treatment of ruptured or elongated anterior mitral valve chordae by partial transposition of the posterior leaflet: experience with 29 patients

We report a series of 29 patients, 5 to 75 years of age (mean age, 31.8 +/- 21.4 [SD] years), with pure mitral regurgitation caused by ruptured or elongated chordae of the anterior mitral leaflet. These patients underwent mitral valve repair by segmental transposition of the posterior leaflet with its attached chordae sutured to the free edge of the flail anterior leaflet. There were 2 hospital deaths. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 35 months (mean follow-up, 14.9 +/- 8.5 months). One patient is lost to follow-up. Two patients are in New York Heart Association Functional Class II; all others are in Class I. In 17 patients there is no detectable murmur; in 5 patients a mild to moderate systolic murmur can be detected, while 4 have a marked systolic murmur. The adequacy of the repair could be confirmed by Doppler echocardiography, which has shown no evidence of prolapse in 22 patients. A mild regurgitation jet is present in 4 patients, and a marked jet, in 3. Postoperative cardiac catheterization performed in 5 patients has confirmed the Doppler echocardiographic findings. Although longer follow-up is necessary, this technique appears adequate for repairing a major prolapse of the anterior leaflet caused by multiple ruptured or elongated chordae, therefore obviating the need for a prosthetic valve substitute.     

Anterior mitral leaflet prolapse as a primary cause of pure rheumatic mitral insufficiency

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to revise the mechanisms and repair techniques of anterior mitral leaflet prolapse observed during the correction of pure rheumatic mitral regurgitation in children. METHODS: From March 1993 to May 1998, 36 children suffering from pure rheumatic mitral regurgitation due to anterior leaflet prolapse underwent mitral valve repair. The mean age was 12.5 years (range, 6 to 16 years). Anterior leaflet prolapse was due to chordal elongation in 25 patients (group A), chordal rupture in 6 patients (group B), and retraction of anterior secondary chordae tendineae, creating a V-shaped deformity in the middle of the anterior leaflet, thus moving the free edge of the anterior leaflet away from the coaptation plane, in 5 patients (group C). Chordal shortening, transposition, and resection of anterior secondary chordae tendineae were used to correct anterior leaflet prolapse according to the predominantly responsible mechanism. RESULTS: All patients were available for clinical follow-up, which ranged from 6 months to 5 years (mean follow-up, 3 years). Echocardiographic studies were obtained until the 3rd postoperative month, and all patients showed significant improvement in their left ventricular and atrial dimensions. There was one late death related to endocarditis. Two patients in group C who had mitral valve repair underwent mitral valve replacement on the 19th and 24th postoperative months, respectively, because of failure of mitral valve repair. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair for pure mitral regurgitation due to rheumatic anterior leaflet prolapse can be performed safely for all types of mechanisms. Although the techniques we used provide stable short-term results in each of these groups, midterm results are better in groups A and B, where tissue thickening is less important, recurrences of rheumatic carditis are lower, and the interval between the first rheumatic attack and the surgical procedure is shorter than in group C.     

Surgical repair of mitral valve prolapse through a minimal right vertical infraaxillary thoracotomy

Abstract Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery has been proven a safe and cosmetic alternative to the conventional median sternotomy approach. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of mitral valve repair for leaflet prolapse through a minimal right vertical infraaxillary thoracotomy (RVIAT). Methods: From January 2003 to December 2011, 68 patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) due to leaflet prolapse underwent mitral valve repair through a RVIAT approach. There were 37 males and 31 females. The mean age of the patients was 37.8 ± 10.5 years. Of the 68 patients, 45 had posterior leaflet prolapse and 23 had anterior leaflet prolapse. Results: The mean incision length was 7.3 ± 1.8 cm (range 5.5 to 10.0 cm). Mitral valve repair technique included quadrangular resection with or without sliding repair (40 cases), edge to edge technique (six cases), artificial chordae (18 cases), chordal transfer (four cases), and ring annuloplasty was performed in all 68 patients. There was no severe morbidity and operative mortality. Echocardiography after operation demonstrated absence or trivial mitral regurgitation in 52 patients and mild regurgitation in 16 patients. During the 3 months ～8 years' follow-up period, one patient (1.5%) underwent mitral valve replacement through the median sternotomy due to recurrent severe MR. Other patients were in good condition. Conclusion: Surgical repair of mitral valve prolapse can be successfully performed through the RVIAT approach achieving excellent cosmetic and clinical results. (J Card Surg 2012;27:533-537).     

瓣叶折叠在小儿二尖瓣成形中的应用

目的 提供一种基于儿童先天性二尖瓣反流(mitral regurgitation,MR)解剖异常特点的,相对简单化、可重复性高的标准化二尖瓣成形(mitral valvuloplasty,MVP)策略,并报道单中心的近期结果.方法 回顾性分析2016～2018年在本中心接受标准化MVP策略手术74例患者的临床资料,其中...     

Mital valve regurgitation with anterior mitral leaflet chordal rupture or elongation —Repair using the flip over technique—

Repair of prolapsed anterior mitral leaflet has remained technically difficult. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical results after using the flip-over technique for patients with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse due to dhordal rupture or elongation. Between January 1993 and September 1997, fifteen adult patients with pure mitral valve regurgitation (MR) due to prolapse of the anterior mitral leaflet underwent repair using the flip-over technique. The indication for this procedure were; 1) all mitral structures except the prolapsed area must appear to be intact, and 2) the corresponding chordae attached to the posterior leaflet should be sufficiently strong to be transferred to the anterior leaflet. The prognoses following this technique were retrospectively studied to assess the early and mid-term clinical outcome of this procedure. Follow up was complete in all patients and ranged from 2 to 56 months (with a mean of 25 ± 17.9 months). There was no hospital death, None required reoperation. One patient died because of acute recurrent MR during follow-up. No other complication was experienced. Doppler echocardiographic studies at the final follow-up showed less than mild regurgitation in 11 (78.6%) of the 14 surviving patients. We believe that this procedure was effective for that the obtained repair of a prolapsed anterior mitral valve and early and mid-term clinical outcome from this procedure has been satisfactory.     

Correction of anterior mitral prolapse. Results of chordal transposition.

From 1986 to 1992 102 mitral valve repairs were done for mitral regurgitation due to a degenerative disease. Forty-eight patients had an anterior prolapse or prolapse of both leaflets at initial presentation and underwent chordal transposition from the mural leaflet to the anterior leaflet. The corrective procedure was completed by polytetrafluoroethylene or pericardial posterior annuloplasty. Operative mortality was 2.9%, and follow-up (average 22 months) was 100% complete. There were three postreconstruction valve replacements (one earlier and two later) for a probability of freedom from reoperation of 91.5% +/- 5.2% at 3 years. Freedom from all morbidity was 85.5% +/- 5.5% at 3 years. Postoperative echocardiographic studies demonstrated a good mitral valve function: (1) Eighty-seven percent of patients presented no or mild residual regurgitation; (2) transmitral flow indexes were within the norm; (3) left ventricular outflow tract flow was normal in all patients. This study shows that chordal transposition is a safe and effective technique for prolapse of anterior or both leaflets and improves the chances of repair in patients with mitral degenerative disease.     

Early and late results of partial plication annuloplasty for congenital mitral insufficiency

BACKGROUND: Partial plication annuloplasty is the main technique for congenital mitral insufficiency because this technique allows the mitral anulus to grow, in contrast to ring annuloplasty. However, this technique is not satisfactory for mitral insufficiency with some anomalies of the mitral valve apparatus. METHODS: Forty-one patients underwent partial plication annuloplasty for mitral regurgitation from July 1979 to December 1998. Mitral regurgitation associated with an atrioventricular defect, an atrioventricular discordance, and a univentricular heart was excluded from this study. RESULTS: There were no early or late deaths. In early results, partial plication annuloplasty was more effective for mitral regurgitation with abnormality of the posterior leaflet (n = 14) or normal leaflet motion (n = 8) than with abnormality of the anterior leaflet and its apparatus (n = 14) or absence of chordae (n = 4). The mean follow-up period was 145.8 months. During the follow-up period, 2 patients underwent mitral valve replacement, and a third patient underwent mitral valve repair with partial plication annuloplasty after the first repair. The main cause of mitral regurgitation of 2 of the 3 patients was absence of chordae. The actuarial freedom from reoperation rate was 94.9% +/- 3.6%, 91.9% +/- 4.7%, and 91.9% +/- 4.7% at 5, 10, and 15 years after the operation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Early and long-term results of partial plication annuloplasty were acceptable for congenital mitral insufficiency with any type of malformation of the mitral valve, and results were excellent with abnormality of the posterior leaflet and its apparatus or normal leaflet motion. However, late results were suboptimal for mitral regurgitation with absence of chordae. Other techniques, such as artificial chorda replacement, should be adapted in these cases.     

Artificial chordae for pediatric mitral and tricuspid valve repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pediatric atrioventricular valve repair with artificial chordae. METHODS: Between February 2001 and January 2006, artificial chords were used in 21 children with severe mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation. Patients with AVSD were excluded. Median age was 84 (1-194) months. Five patients had isolated tricuspid valve anomalies, 16 had mitral valve anomalies (associated tricuspid annular dilatation in 4). Tricuspid neochordae were placed to anterior (three patients) and septal (two patients) leaflets. Mitral neochordae were placed to anterior (15 patients) and posterior (1 patient) leaflets. Additional ring annuloplasties were performed in 12 (mitral 11, tricuspid 1), as well as 2 de Vega tricuspid annuloplasties. Patch insertion was used in acute endocarditis (tricuspid one). All echocardiographic studies were reviewed and analyzed by a single cardiologist. RESULTS: No mortality occurred. Follow-up was complete (mean 28+/-18 months). Two patients were reoperated, one for mitral ring dehiscence and one for recurring mitral valve insufficiency. Both valves were replaced by mechanical valve prosthesis. At last follow-up tricuspid insufficiency was mild (three) or moderate (two). Moderate insufficiency occurred due to remaining restriction of the septal leaflet after repair in endocarditis (one) and remaining prolapse of the anterior leaflet (one). Mitral insufficiency was absent (five), mild (seven), or moderate (two). Moderate insufficiency was caused by recurrent anterior leaflet shortening after valve repair in rheumatic valve disease (two). Valve restriction caused by artificial chordae was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral and tricuspid valve repair with artificial chordae in children demonstrated acceptable results. Despite patient growth, valvular restriction by the artificial chordae was not observed ad mid-term follow-up.     

Transposition of posterior leaflet for treatment of ruptured main chordae of the anterior mitral leaflet

A 13-year-old girl with mitral regurgitation resulting from rupture of multiple chordae of the anterior leaflet had repair by transposition of a part of the posterior leaflet to the free edge of the anterior mitral cusp. Postoperative clinical hemodynamic, and angiographic studies showed perfect function of the mitral valve. This technique seems to be a good solution for mitral repair in the presence of ruptured anterior mitral chordae.     

Replacement of ruptured chordae tendineae of the mitral valve with autologous pericardial chordae.

Severe mitral regurgitation owing to rupture of chordae tendineae has been repaired in 10 patients by construction of new chordae from autologous pericardium. The site of rupture was the posterior leaflet in eight patients, the anterior leaflet in one patient, and both leaflets in one patient. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation (average 49%) and a left atrial V wave of 45 mm. Hg. The reconstruction was carried out with pericardium rolled into a chorda with one end attached to the appropriate papillary muscle and the other attached to the flail edge of the mitral valve leaflet being repaired. One patient died on the seventh postoperative day from pneumonia. The remaining nine patients are alive and well (Functional Class I) from 6 months to 9 1/2 years (average 3 years) following the operation. None requires anticoagulants.     

A case report of surgical correction for congenital mitral regurgitation with subvalvular apparatus abnormality

We report a successful complex mitral valve plasty using port access minimally invasive cardiac surgery for congenital mitral regurgitation that presented as an abnormality of the subvalvular apparatus. A 16-year-old male patient received a diagnosis of mitral regurgitation resulting from tethering of the anterior mitral leaflet and posterior mitral leaflet caused by an abnormality in papillary muscle insertion and a hypoplastic chordae tendineae. The posterior leaflet was closely tethered to the tips of the papillary muscle with essentially no chordae tendineae. The flexibility of the leaflet was restored by surgically removing the abnormal chordae, and reconstruction of chordae tendinae of the anterior leaflet was carried out using three loops and of the posterior leaflet using one loop with a loop technique method. As an additional procedure for persistent regurgitation, an edge-to-edge technique to the posterior commissure side was performed, after which the mitral regurgitation disappeared.     

Pre-measured artificial chordae for mitral valve repair

There is growing interest in the application of artificial chordae to correct mitral valve regurgitation caused by prolapse. Application of pre-measured artificial chordae facilitates creation of chordae of appropriate length. Herein we illustrate the technique for creation of pre-measured artificial chordae, documenting neo-chordal length and number in 50 patients with anterior leaflet prolapse, highlighting the need for chordae of more than one length in 14% of patients.     

Surgical Application for a Prolapse of the Anterior Mitral Leaflet by Replacing Artificial Chordae with Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts

Purpose There are an increasing number of reports concerning mitral valve repair by a reconstruction of the chordae tendinae using expanded polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE) sutures. However, little information is available about extended application or results of this technique for an extended prolapse of the anterior mitral leaflets.Methods Between July 1991 and August 2003, 28 patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation as a result of a prolapse of anterior leaflets (age range, 15–73 years) underwent mitral valve repair by reconstruction of the artificial chordae with 4-CV expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures without a leaflet resection. Either Kay’s suture technique or ring annuloplasty was also performed to correct annular dilatation in all patients.Results No operative death or late mortality was observed. The prolapsed segment, which was successfully repaired, was within 33% of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) in 6 patients, from 33% to 50% in 5, from 50% to 99% in 11, and 100% in 6 patients. Before discharge, immediate postoperative echocardiography showed less than moderate mitral regurgitation in 28 of 28 patients. The follow-up, consisting of a clinical examination and serial echocardiograms, was complete in all cases and the mean follow-up period was 80.6 months (range, 12–146). There were two failures that required a reoperation because of a worsening mitral regurgitation and hemolytic anemia (elongation of anchored side of papillary muscle). The other two patients required mitral valve replacement due to a progressive regression of the left ventricular function, although the regurgitation worsened from a mild level to a moderate one. When the reoperated patients were excluded from the following data, the degree of mitral regurgitation, estimated by echocardiography performed at recent follow-up period, was none in 10 patients, trivial in 13 patients, and mild in 1 patient. In addition, the systolic and diastolic dimensions of the left ventricle decreased significantly (P < 0.01).Conclusions The replacement of artificial chordae was not complicated and it seemed to help to preserve a good relationship among leaflet tissues, chordae, and papillary muscles. We therefore suggest that the extensive use of PTFE artificial chordae appears to be a promising procedure for the repair of all kinds of mitral lesions causing mitral regurgitation.     

Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve despite the sliding leaflet technique for repair of the mitral valve

We report a systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet despite employing the sliding leaflet technique for repair of mitral valve regurgitation. A 65-year-old man with chronic, symptomatic mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chordae tendineae underwent mitral valve repair by quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet and sliding leaflet technique with ring annuloplasty. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, left ventricular outflow obstruction developed and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and severe mitral regurgitation. Non-operative treatment resolved the outflow tract obstruction, systolic anterior motion and mitral regurgitation. We conclude that post-repair systolic anterior motion can still occur after the sliding plasty procedure and that medical treatment can successfully resolve systolic anterior motion and outflow tract obstruction in most patients.     

Simultaneous operation of WPW syndrome combined with mitral regurgitation caused by infective endocarditis

A case of WPW syndrome combined with mitral regurgitation caused by infective endocarditis underwent surgical division of accessory pathway and mitral valve replacement preserving posterior leaflet simultaneously. A 56-years old woman suffered atrial fibrillation with pseudo VT and cardiac failure caused by mitral regurgitation. Electro-physiological study (EPS) revealed accessory pathway in postero-lateral wall in left atrium and atrio-fascicular pathway like James bundle in AV node. ECHO cardiography showed mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation. Accessory pathway was divided surgically and deep freeze coagulation was followed. Perforation of anterior leaflet and chordal rupture of posterior leaflet caused by infective endocarditis were repaired by annuloplasty (Kay and McGoon method) at first, but regurgitation retained moderately. After re-clamping of aorta, mitral valve was replaced with prosthesis (SJM 29 mm) preserving posterior leaflet. Postoperative examination revealed division of accessory pathway and no regurgitation of mitral prosthesis.     

改良腱索转移法治疗二尖瓣前叶脱垂(附16例临床分析)

目的 介绍一种操作简单、效果可靠的矫治二尖瓣前叶脱垂的手术方法.方法 2002年1月至2008年5月,应用"缘对缘"技术基础上的腱索转移法治疗二尖瓣前叶脱垂共16例,其中腱索断裂12例,腱索延长4例.超声心动图均显示二尖瓣前叶脱垂致重度关闭不全,平均反流面积(14.76±3.28)cm2,左心室射血分数33%～69%.按照NYNA分级,术前心功能Ⅲ级5例,Ⅳ级11例.手术首先行脱垂部位前瓣与相应部位后瓣的"缘对缘"缝合,矩形切下缝合处的后瓣,连同相应的腱索、乳头肌,转移至前瓣.再行后瓣成形,完成瓣膜成形手术.所有病人出院前和随访时再次行超声心动图检查.结果 手术无死亡,除1例因为术后第3天出现二尖瓣前叶穿孔再次行二尖瓣置换手术外,其余15例手术病人均顺利康复出院.术后远期随访无死亡,心功能全部恢复至Ⅰ级.复查超声心动图二尖瓣瓣口面积3.3-4.8 cm2,平均(3.78±0.52)cm2,均无明显反流,反流面积(0.45±0.22)cm2,左房、左室明显缩小[(左房径:术前(48.26±11.12),mm,术后(37.57±9.56)mm,P=0.028;左窜舒张末径术前(61.43±8.24)mm,术后(42.35±10.79)mm,P=O.008].结论 "缘对缘"技术基础上的腱索转移法治疗二尖瓣前叶脱垂,操作简单,可以取得良好的成形效果.     

Leaflet resection for the degenerative mitral valve regurgitation; early/long-term assessment

Leaflet resection for posterior leaflet prolapse has been a standard repair procedure with good longterm durability. The aim of this study was to review our experience of mitral valve repair, in which resection of the anterior and/or posterior leaflets was performed. Between October 1991 and December 2010, 172 patients with degenerative mitral valve regurgitation underwent mitral valve reconstruction,including 98 patients with the posterior leaflet prolapse, 47 patients with the anterior leaflet prolapse, 17 patients with both leaflets and 10 patients with the commissure prolapse. Most patients in this study were supposed to be caused by fibroelastic deficiency and we have not experienced systolic anterior motion after repair. The mean follow-up period was 8.7 ± 5.5 years. The freedom from reoperation rates at 15 years in 88.7 ± 5.3% of the anterior leaflet procedure, 96.6 ± 2.5% of the posterior leaflet, and 100% of both leaflets. The results of resection of a diseased prolapsed mitral leaflet have been promising so far. However, reoperation was required in 7 patients (4.1%) and reoperation rate was higher in patients with anterior prolapse and longer follow-up will evaluate precisely be benefit.     

Neochordal repair of the posterior mitral leaflet

BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve insufficiency is traditionally repaired by posterior leaflet quadrangular resection and reconstruction. A simplified repair technique without leaflet resection is described, and our initial experience is reviewed. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with significant mitral regurgitation underwent repair since January 2000 by placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures between the leading (coapting) edge of the posterior leaflet and the corresponding papillary muscle. An annuloplasty ring was placed, and no leaflet tissue was resected. Patient medical records were obtained and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five men and 14 women (median age, 61 years; range, 40-88 years) had their mitral valve repaired by a variety of surgical approaches, including robotic (18 patients), right thoracotomy (6 patients), and sternal (15 patients). Three patients have required valve replacement: 1 at the initial operation, 1 because of dehiscence of the annuloplasty ring, and 1 after subsequent rupture of a previously normal native chorda. At follow-up (median, 12 months), 92% (33/36) of the remaining patients had an intact mitral repair with no to mild regurgitation, 8.3% (3/36) of patients had moderate regurgitation, and 92% of all patients (36/39) were in New York Heart Association class I. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Myxomatous mitral regurgitation due to posterior leaflet insufficiency can be repaired without leaflet resection by placement of neochordae. This repair technique is effective and is readily accomplished by traditional and minimally invasive surgical approaches.     

Late results of mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term results of mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2000, 301 patients with mitral regurgitation underwent mitral valve repair. There were 167 men and 134 women whose mean age was 56 +/- 14 years. The patients were comprised of 7 patients in Carpentier's type I, 277 patients in type II, and 17 patients in type III. Chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures had been prospectively applied to repair the anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. Ring annuloplasty was performed in 230 patients (76%). The follow-up was complete and mean follow-up was 67 +/- 33 months, for a cumulative follow-up of 1,624 patient-years. RESULTS: There were 5 hospital deaths and 11 late deaths (2 cardiac and 9 noncardiac). All survivors except those with stroke were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I or II. At 10 years, the actuarial survival was 90 +/- 3%, the freedom from embolism was 86 +/- 4%, the freedom from reoperation was 96 +/- 2%, and the freedom from valve-related events was 77 +/- 4%. At 10 years, the freedom from reoperation in the patients with anterior leaflet prolapse was 90 +/- 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair is feasible in most patients with mitral regurgitation and is associated with low mortality and low rates of valve related events. Chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures is effective, safe, and durable at long-term follow-up for patients with anterior leaflet prolapse.     

Chordal reconstruction with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sutures for mitral regurgitation

Chordal reconstruction of the mitral valve using CV4 or CV5 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (GoreTex, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) sutures was performed in seven patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) to ascertain its efficacy. The MR had been caused by prolapse of the anterior leaflet in three patients, the posterior leaflet in two, and both leaflets in two; five of the patients had an MR of grade III or IV. There was one hospital death, which occurred in a patient whose MR had resulted from papillary muscle dysfunction caused by a myocardial infarction (MI). Chordal reconstruction failed and was converted to a mitral valve replacement in two patients, one of whom had suffered a MI and another who had a congenital papillary muscle anomaly. The remaining five patients all underwent successful chordal reconstruction with PTFE sutures, resulting in the disappearance of the MR in two patients and an improvement to grade I in three patients. Although the longest follow-up period has been only 1 year, the MR has not worsened. This technique is relatively easy to perform, and allows almost all the mitral apparatus to remain in situ, while enabling repair of the mitral valve, regardless of the state of the diseased chordae.