Mitral Valve Repair With Sorin Memo Three-dimensional Rechord Annuloplasty Ring: An Early New Zealand Single-centre Experience

Abstract

Mitral valve repair—as opposed to replacement—has been regarded as the preferred treatment in mitral regurgitation. The purpose was to demonstrate an easily reproducible, mitral valve-sparing technique with functional and anatomical improvement of the diseased valve using the Sorin Memo 3D Rechord Annuloplasty Ring, which provides a guidance system for artificial chordae placement. Fourteen patients underwent mitral valve repair using the ring with neochord placement between the years 2016 and 2017. No patients required re-run bypass for further correction of repair. The mean age of our patients was 74 years, with 10 patients being male. Thirteen patients had isolated mitral valve repair with one patient having a combined procedure with bypass grafting. The postoperative complications included partial dehiscence of the ring (two patients), with one patient requiring redo mitral valve surgery. Mean follow-up time was 4 months, with the longest being about 10 months. Follow-up echocardiogram showed no chordal shortening in all patients and most had no significant mitral regurgitation with good anatomical and physiological valve function. There have been no mortalities in our series, with minor complications including pericarditis and postoperative arrhythmia. We are a relatively small centre with a low load of mitral valve surgeries. However, our preliminary experience with this device have shown promising signs with the ease in sizing the neochords. However, comparison studies and longer follow-up times are required to ascertain the effectiveness of the device.