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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.

Suture-related injuries of the left circumflex branch are a serious and well-known complication of mitral valve surgery. Avoiding this complication is challenging, especially in an unexpected course of coronary arteries. We present a case of minimally invasive mitral valve repair in a patient with a rare anatomical variant of the main stem in direct proximity to the whole anterior leaflet.

Background Mitral annuloplasty is a reliable mitral valve repair technique. There are two types of annuloplasy rings: the rigid ring and the flexible ring. This study sought to examine the long-term results of mitral valve repair using a Duran flexible ring. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 226 patients who underwent primary mitral valve repair using the Duran flexible ring for mitral regurgitation between September 1994 and March 2003. Patients' mean age was 56.7 years, and 39% were female. The mean follow-up was 10.6 years (0.04 ∼ 18.3), and echocardiographic follow-up was 83.3% complete. Results There were three early and 25 late deaths. Survival was 89.3 ± 2.2 for 10 years, and 83.5 ± 3.2% for 15 years. The 10- and 15-year freedom from reoperation on the mitral valve were 96.4 ± 1.4 and 95.3 ± 1.7%, respectively. The 10- and 15-year freedom from moderate or severe mitral regurgitation were 92.5 ± 2.2 and 73.7 ± 7.1%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that age, male gender, and isolated anterior leaflet prolapse were predictive of recurrent moderate or severe mitral regurgitation. Conclusions Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation using a flexible Duran ring is safe and durable for more than 10 years. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12522 (J Card Surg 2015;30:333–337)

Objectives This retrospective study assesses the outcomes of a modified Carpentier's technique for Ebstein's anomaly repair in respect to functional and anatomical recovery of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve. Patients and Methods From August 2005 to December 2010, 52 patients with Ebstein's anomaly were operated in Hanoi Heart Hospital, Vietnam using the modified Carpentier's technique: (1) extensive mobilization of the tricuspid leaflet by detachment of the posterior, septal, and the adjacent part of the anterior leaflet; (2) longitudinal plication of the atrialized chamber and the right atrium to reconstruct the right ventricle and reduce the size of the dilated right atrium; (3) relocation of the anterior, posterior, and septal leaflets to the normal tricuspid annulus; and (4) tricuspid annuloplasty. Results Mean age was 20 years (3–49 years). Tricuspid regurgitation (in four-grade scale) was reduced from 3.72 ± 0.48 to 1.56 ± 0.48 (p

Background Satisfactory results of bileaflet preserving mitral valve replacement (MVR) had forced several institutes to preserve both leaflets during MVR. Modifications were required to prevent the preserved tissue from interfering with prosthetic valve function, to implant an adequate size of valve and to prevent left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Materials and methods Conventional MVR was performed to 51 patients (group 1) and bileaflet preserving MVR was performed to 43 patients (group 2). Mitral anterior leaflet incised from the middle of the leaflet to mitral annulus without chordal injury in group 2 patients. Sutures were placed through the mitral annulus first and then passed from the bottom to the tip of anterior leaflet. Posterior leaflet was also preserved. Prosthetic valve was put down into the mitral annulus and sutures were ligated. Excessive anterior leaflet tissue was attached to left atrial wall. Results Cross-clamping time was 45 +/- 5.33 minutes versus 61.32 +/- 4.43 minutes (p = 0.0001) and total cardiopulmonary bypass time was 60.80 +/- 4.44 minutes versus 80.55 +/- 3.65 minutes (p = 0.0001) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Inotropy requirement was higher in group 1 (p = 0.0058). When compared with preoperative values postoperative left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) increased both at rest (from 52.74% +/- 3.88% to 62.86% +/- 3.18%, p = 0.0001) and during exercise (from 53.16% +/- 3.16% to 64.11% +/- 2.46%, p = 0.0001) in bileaflet preserving MVR group. But in conventional MVR group LVEF decreased postoperatively both at rest (from 51.45% +/- 4.27% to 48.27% +/- 3.35%, p = 0.0001) and during exercise (from 54.47% +/- 7.36% to 42.96% +/- 3.58%, p = 0.0001). Conclusion Leaflet preserving MVR operation not only improves the left ventricular performance but also reduces the mortality and morbidity after MVR. LVEF increases both at rest and during exercise. Risk of LVOT obstruction can be completely eliminated with our simple technique.

Isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation without downward displacement of the leaflet is uncommon in adults, and repair of such valves often requires a procedure that is more complex than simple tricuspid annuloplasty. We describe a technique of tricuspid valvoplasty using the neo-papillary loop technique to reconstruct multiple artificial chords for isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation associated with a dysplastic anterior leaflet with agenesis of the chordae tendineae and a hypoplastic anterior papillary muscle. This technique provides a simple and valuable option for the repair of dysplastic valves lacking chordae, even those with a hypoplastic papillary muscle.

During mitral valve replacement, total chordae preservation is very important for left ventricular functions. But leaving anterior leaflet and chordae may cause serious complications, such as left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and impairment in prosthetic valve functions. In this article, we present the anterior leaflet preservation technique by excising the central portion of the anterior leaflet. The rim of the leaflet tissue containing the marginal chordae was divided in two parts without destroying the chordae, and then the rim of leaflet tissue was sutured to the left atrium. This technique provided optimal chordae tension and improved avoidance of complications due to total chordae preservation, in mitral valve replacement operations.

Background: This study examined the septal cleft and septal commissure of the left atrioventricular (AV) valve, which are two different anatomical structures. Methods: We presented 36 cases of adult partial atrioventricular septal defect. A distinction was made between patients based on the anatomy of the anterior leaflet of the left AV valve. The left AV valve appeared to be normal or to have minimal radial openings from the free edge of the anterior leaflet of the left AV valve in 10 patients (28%). There was a septal commissure structure in 8 (22%), and a septal cleft structure in 18 (50%) patients. In the commissure type anatomy, leaflet coaptation was usually adequate and no or mild degree of left AV regurgitation existed preoperatively. Cleft type structure usually was associated with some degree of left AV regurgitation. Attempts were made to close the septal clefts and leave the septal commissures unsutured during the repair of the partial AV septal defects. Results: We have not found any increase of left AV regurgitation in patients with commissures during the follow-up period. Closure of the cleft successfully eliminated regurgitation. Long-term results for septal cleft and septal commissure after repair of partial AV septal defect were excellent with survival of 100% and freedom from reoperation of 100% at mean 6.5 years. Conclusions: Septal cleft and septal commissure should be considered two different structures. Repairing procedures for left AV valve abnormalities associated with partial AV septal defect should only be done in patients who have cleft type of leaflet structure.

Techniques of repair of defects in the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and replacement of the aortic valve using allograft are presented. The case history and operative procedure of a reconstructive operation that did not require anticoagulant therapy after surgery are described for three adult patients. Mitral valve defects were repaired using the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve of the allograft. The aortic valve or entire root was replaced with the aortic allograft. The aortic/mitral allograft should be considered as an alternative to replacement of the aortic and mitral valves with prostheses in selected patients.

We report a 62-year-old female who required surgery for severe mitral regurgitation. Under robotic assistance, the valve was repaired by transection of the fibrous bridge, implantation of four neo-chordaes to the anterior leaflet, commissuroplasty of the posterolateral commissure, and annuloplasty.

The use of conservative surgical techniques to treat mitral valve regurgitation secondary to acute endocarditis is controversial. Reconstruction of the anterior leaflet may represent an additional challenge in such a setting. We report a case of mitral valve repair where extensive excision of the anterior leaflet and related chordae tendinea was necessary because of large vegetation secondary to acute endocarditis. The “double-orifice” technique was performed and allowed the salvage of the native valve. There was no recurrent infection at 6 months from surgery, with optimal hemodynamic results. (J Card Surg 7998; 73:24–26)

A repair technique is reported for Ebstein's anomaly associated with partial atrioventricular canal. When there is inadequate size of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve, pericardial patch augmentation of the anterior leaflet may result in a well functioning monocusp tricuspid valve.

A 22-year-old man developed exertional dyspnea 2 years after blunt chest trauma due to a horse kick. Preoperative echocardiography showed severe tricuspid insufficiency (TI) caused by chordal rupture and prolapse of the anterior leaflet. A novel repair technique, the "clover technique," was applied, but was unsuccessful in this case. The valve was then repaired successfully using conventional techniques, that is, insertion of an artificial chordae, plication of the prolapsing leaflet, and DeVega's annuloplasty. We present here a brief review of posttraumatic TI, and discuss effective and less expensive techniques for repair.

A 62-year-old woman presented with exertional dyspnea and fever. On physical examination, a holosystolic murmur was found. A cystic lesion was detected by echocardiography. At surgery, a membrane was seen on the anterior leaflet, which extended from the primary chordae to papillary muscle of the anterior leaflet, making a cavity. There was also fenestration in the mid portion of the anterior leaflet. Leaflet augmentation with a pericardial patch was performed.