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Background and Aim of the Study Mitral valve repair is the procedure of choice to correct mitral regurgitation. However, some dangerous iatrogenic complications can occur at the end of the procedure. Therefore, we sought to review the most frequent and clinically relevant acute iatrogenic complication following mitral valve repair. Methods A thorough review of the literature has been performed. Criteria for considering studies for this non-systematic review were as follows: observational and interventional studies investigating the acute iatrogenic complications following mitral valve repair, and essential review studies pertinent to the topic. Results The most frequent is the systolic anterior motion. Due to a systolic dislocation of the anterior leaflet toward the outflow tract, it causes both obstruction of the outflow tract and mitral regurgitation. Often it is due to excess of catecholamines or to reduced filling of the left ventricle but sometimes needs further surgical maneuvers, focused on moving posteriorly the coaptation line. It can be obtained by shortening the posterior leaflet or increasing the size of the ring or applying an Alfieri stitch to limit the movements of the anterior leaflet. Another complication, often underdiagnosed and potentially lethal, is the injury of the circumflex artery that happens at the level of the anterolateral commissure or P1 zone. Two mechanisms are involved. The first one is the direct injury of the artery by a stitch (roughly 25% of the patients present a distance artery-annulus

BACKGROUND AND AIM Leaflet resection and chordal reconstruction are established repair techniques for posterior mitral valve (MV) prolapse. This study aimed to compare the clinical results of the resect and respect approaches, with a particular focus on MV hemodynamics. METHODS Overall, 291 patients who underwent elective MV repair for isolated posterior leaflet prolapse between 2012 and 2020 were enrolled. Patients who underwent leaflet resection alone were classified as the "resection" group (n = 166), while patients who underwent neochordal replacement with/without limited leaflet resection were classified as the "respect" group (n = 125). Early postoperative MV hemodynamics and midterm repair durability were compared between the groups. RESULTS The annuloplasty ring size was significantly larger in the respect group than in the resection group (31.0 ± 2.1 vs. 30.4 ± 2.0 mm, p = .028). The respect group showed significantly lower mean MV gradient (2.6 ± 1.1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.4 mmHg, p = .03) and larger effective orifice area (EOA) (1.86 ± 0.48 vs. 1.66 ± 0.47 cm2 , p

Background and aim Second-order chord tethering of the anterior leaflet is a risk factor for failure of posterior leaflet prolapse repair. Materials and methods We describe two cases of second-order chord tethering of the anterior leaflet associated with severe mitral regurgitation due to prolapse or chordal rupture of the anterior leaflet, causing early and late failure of repair. Results We described two cases where this phenomenon happened. Conclusions Our cases demonstrate that the second-order chords of the prolapsing AL can be tethered and that this aspect should be carefully evaluated before surgery, as it can progress over time, affecting the results of surgical repair.

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is a very rare form of mitral annular calcification (MAC). CCMA accounts for 0.63% of all cases and 0.06-0.07% of the total population and usually seen in elderly and female patients. It mostly affects the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The pathogenesis of CCMA remains unclear. Hypercholesterolemia and the dissolution of lipid-laden macrophages may be implicated in liquefaction necrosis. CCMA is composed of a mixture of calcium, fatty acid, and cholesterol. The name "caseous" comes from the cheese-like or toothpaste-like consistency of the mass. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may help in differentiating MAC from CCMA and should perform. The first treatment option should be conservative treatment because of surgical complications of the procedure. We presented a case report which is about CCMA with preoperative and intraoperative robotic images.

Mitral valve (MV) repair for mitral regurgitation (MR) due to posterior leaflet (PL) prolapse is achieved nowadays with a great success rate and a good survival, similar, in certain subgroups. In this paper, Sakaguchi et al describe their results in two groups of patients with PL prolapse. Some patients underwent resection (resection group) and others chordal replacement with/out limited resection (respect group). Results were similar in terms of survival and MR recurrence. Our goal is to eliminate, as much as possible, MR when a patient with degenerative MR is operated on. Reduction of the mitral orifice and consequently an increase of the transmitral gradient is the rule. MV repair for degenerative MR provides great results, but there is not a single surgical technique. A close evaluation of the anatomical findings will allow us to choose the best strategy for the individual patient. An open mind is the most important characteristic that a surgeon should have to repair a prolapsing PL without residual regurgitation and dangerous gradients.

Introduction: Surgical repair of the mitral valve is in most cases limited to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve and to the annulus fibrosus. The term annulus fibrosus is still used in anatomical and clinical terminology and is described as a cord like structure providing the attachment of the mitral vale. However, to date no evidence exists of a ring-or cord-like structure at this area. Herein, we describe the attachment of the mitral valve by using the macroscopical and microscopical techniques.Material and Methods: The ventricular attachment of the posterior mitral valve leaflet was investigated in 10 human hearts. In dry dissected specimens, the intraventricular illumination was used to identify the attachment of the mitral valve to the left ventricular muscle. Using the histological techniques, we verified the position of the annulus fibrosus.Results: The attachment of the posterior mitral valve leaflet is a band-like structure positioned between the left ventricular muscle and the left atrium. This fibrous band illustrates the morphological attachment of the mitral valve and, as thus, was interpreted as the annulus fibrosus of the mitral valve.Conclusion: Based on our data, no ring-like structure was found corresponding to the anatomical description of the annulus fibrosus, instead the band-like fibrous tissue was identified positioned between the mitral valve and the left ventricle. Histologicaly, we detected that this structure is part of the greater structural system that is directly connected to the membranous septum, to the left and right fibrous trigone and the attachment aortic root to the left ventricular muscle.

Endocarditis after mitral valve (MV) annuloplasty is uncommon. The ring used in MV annuloplasty is often inadequate because it opposes the growth of the MV leaflets and annulus. We report a 15-year-old male that required redo surgery for prosthetic ring endocarditis 40 months after a previous MV annuloplasty. After the previous ring was removed, the undergrown posterior leaflet was repaired with pericardial augmentation and the posterior annulus was stabilized with a Mitra-Lift® supra-annular strip to preserve a flexible valve orifice and allow the anterior MV annulus and the commissures to grow in relation to body size.

Submitral aneurysm (SMA) is a rare anomaly occurring adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. It usually presents in young adults and it is uncommon in the pediatric age group. We report one case of SMA in a three-year-old child and its successful surgical management.

Surgery for infective mitral valve endocarditis should include resection/debridement of all infected tissue, but this may leave behind insufficient-autologous mitral valve tissue for an adequate repair. Effective mitral valve repair using only bovine pericardium is feasible even in the presence of extensive endocarditis involving a large part of the free margin of the affected leaflet.

Degenerative and rheumatic mitral valve disease are associated with calcification of the annulus, leaflets, and subvalvular mechanism. Surgical treatment is greatly affected by the presence of such calcification, which frequently precludes successful repair, mandating valve replacement. Dense calcification of the posterior leaflet, annulus, and chordae can cause great difficulty in the insertion of a prosthetic device, and is associated with a high frequency of technical complications. We have devised a technique of replacing the mitral valve in the face of such severe calcification, which allows the surgeon to safely insert a single disc mechanical prosthetic valve, avoiding the calcification completely. A large Teflon felt collar precludes the need to place any sutures through the posterior valve leaflet. Successful early experience with five patients, exhibiting both degenerative and rheumatic disease, is described.

Background: Different techniques have been proposed to measure the correct length of artificial chordae. We herein describe a new simple method to measure the chordal length in complex chordal replacement. Method: Chordal replacement was used by us for two different purposes: (1) to maintain the correct chordal length for the anterior leaflet (AL) and (2) to eliminate any movement of the posterior leaflet (PL) to fix it. To reach this goal, the AL is pulled up to the maximum extent and the new chordae are tied 5 mm higher than the related border. On the contrary, in the PL the new chordae are tied at the level of the related border. Results: From March 2006 to March 2007, at the University of Catania, this technique was used in 32 patients (16 for correction of PL prolapse, 6 patients for correction of AL prolapse, and in 10 patients for correction of both leaflets prolapse). The number of chordae per patients was 8.6 for the PL and 6.8 for the AL. No patient died or had major complications. After a mean follow-up of 5 ± 2 months, two-dimensional echocardiography showed that all the patients had no or trivial mitral regurgitation (MR). The echocardiogram showed a correct movement of the new chordae. Conclusions: This technique allows to easily establish the length of the new chordae of the AL and, if necessary, of the PL in complex mitral valve repair.

The conventional treatment of mitral insufficiency, due to posterior leaflet prolapse, is quadrangular resection. This technique sacrifices a great amount of valve tissue resulting in leaflet stiffness and altered annular geometry. To avoid such problems we performed a small triangular leaflet resection sparing the second-order chordae, a folding plasty, implantation of artificial chordae, and annuloplasty. Fourteen patients underwent this procedure. No hospital death and no repair failure were observed. Echocardiography at 12 months on 12 patients showed trivial incompetence in three and mild in one and an overall improvement of end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters. Our technique has the main objectives of sparing second-order chordae and subvalvular apparatus in order to preserve mobility of the posterior mitral leaflet, left ventricular geometry, and function. Preliminary results are encouraging.

A rare case of congenital mitral insufficiency characterized by the hypoplasia of the posterior leaflet is reported. At operation, the mitral valve was successfully repaired by a ring annuloplasty, which created a satisfactory surface of coaptation between the anterior leaflet and the bulky posterior muscular structure. The presence of this posterior muscular structure represents a developmental arrest at the stage of conversion from muscular chordae and leaflets to thin connective structures.

Background and aims Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) suture has been used clinically for replacement of ruptured mitral valve chordae tendineae. The purpose of this study was to assess mitral valve function after posterior chordal replacement with ePTFE suture. Methods A three-dimensional finite element computer model of the mitral valve was used, which incorporated geometry, regional tissue thickness, collagen fiber orientation, and anisotropic material properties for the leaflets, interface, and chordae tendineae. To simulate chordal rupture, four marginal and four basal chordae were removed from the posterior leaflet. Chordal replacement was simulated using two elements with the physical and material properties of 2-0 ePTFE suture. Systolic loading pressures were applied. Results The chordal rupture model demonstrated posterior leaflet prolapse, abnormal stress concentrations, potential regurgitation, and elevated chordal stress. Conversely, the chordal replacement model corrected the prolapse and returned chordal stress to normal levels. However, stress concentrations were shown at suture attachment points. Conclusions This integrated mitral valve finite element model provides a tool to investigate the performance of the valve system. In this study, we have shown that 2-0 ePTFE suture replacement of ruptured posterior chordae tendineae returns the valve to a near normal state, in terms of leaflet stress and coaptation, and chordal stresses.

Patients undergoing combined mitral valve replacement and coronary revascularization require surgical skill and especially judgment for optimal results. In our hands, cardioplegia has not been a pivotal event in affecting survival, and this probably relates to our previous philosophy of limiting the hypothermic ischemic episodes to 15-minute intervals. Currently, we believe that valve repair, when it can be accomplished, is preferable to valve replacement, especially in the patient with ischemic mitral valve disease. When repair cannot be satisfactorily accomplished, replacement with retention of the posterior leaflet seems clinically to be associated with less disturbance of left ventricular function.