A simple method of preparing artificial chordae for mitral valve repair

Abstract

Mitral valve repair has become a standard operation for myxomatous mitral valve disease. Carpentier1 suggested a variety of methods to treat leaflet prolapse of which quadrangular resection for posterior leaflet prolapse has received widespread acceptance. However, chordal transfer or chordal shortening to correct anterior leaflet prolapse is not used often because of the complexity of the technique and the varying results.2 Vetter and colleagues3 suggested re-establishing the subvalvular support by constructing neochordae with expanded polytetrafluroethylene (ePTFE; Gore-Tex; W.