The Application Of Artificial Chordae Implantation In Mitral Valve Repair

Objectives:To summarize the history, details of the surgical techniques and long-term results of artificial chordae in mitral reconstructive surgery. The most difficult part of artificial chordae replacement during mitral valve repair is to determine the correct length of the neo-chordae. A simple technique of chordal replacement was developed by us employing a single prolene suture that enables easy adjustment of the length of artificial chordae.Methods:A search of the Medline and PubMed databases for articles in English was conducted, with the following keywords:mitral valvuloplasty, mitral valve repair, mitral chordae replacement, artificial chordae, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures, and Gore-Tex sutures. We developed a simple technique of chordal replacement employing a single prolene suture, which makes it easy to tie the slippery Gore-Tex sutures for artificial chordae and to adjust the length of the neo-chordae.Results&Conclusion:The use of Gore-Tex chordae is by now established as reproducible and durable. The simple technique of using a single prolene suture in adjusting the correct length of the new chordae we developed seemed to be a promising solution to the difficult aspect of the chordae replacement. With further research to validate the long-term effectiveness of artificial chordae, and with the development of the surgical technique, the artificial chordae replacement will be simpler and be used more extensively.