Neochordal Repair Research Articles

An early European experience with transapical off-pump mitral valve repair with NeoChord implantation.

Transapical off-pump NeoChord repair is a novel minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat degenerative mitral valve regurgitation. The aim was to evaluate 1-year clinical results of the NeoChord procedure in a consecutive cohort of patients. Between February 2013 and July 2016, 213 patients were enrolled in the NeoChord Independent International Registry. All patients presented severe mitral regurgitation due to flail/prolapse of 1 or both leaflets, and they all completed postoperative echocardiographic assessment up to 1 year. We identified the primary end point as composed of procedural success, freedom from mortality, stroke, reintervention, recurrence of severe mitral regurgitation, rehospitalization and decrease of at least 1 New York Heart Association functional class at 1-year follow-up. We also compared outcomes according to the anatomical classification (Type A: isolated central posterior leaflet disease; Type B: posterior multisegment disease; Type C: anterior, bileaflet, paracommissural disease with/without leaflet/annular calcifications). The median age was 68 years (interquartile range 56-77), and the median EuroSCORE II was 1.05% (interquartile range 0.67-1.76). The number of Type A, B and C patients was 82 (38.5%), 98 (46%) and 33 (15.5%), respectively. Procedural success was achieved in 206 (96.7%) patients. At 1-year follow-up, overall survival was 98 ± 1%. Composite end point was achieved in 84 ± 2.5% for the overall population and 94 ± 2.6%, 82.6 ± 3.8% and 63.6 ± 8.4% in Type A, Type B and Type C patients, respectively (P < 0.0001). These results demonstrate that the NeoChord procedure is safe, effective and reproducible. Clinical and echocardiographic efficacy is maintained up to 1 year with significant differences among the anatomical groups. Specific anatomical selection criteria are necessary to achieve stable results.

Learning curve analysis of transapical NeoChord mitral valve repair.

Transapical off-pump mitral valve intervention with neochordae implantation is a novel, minimally invasive procedure for treatment of degenerative mitral valve regurgitation. The aim of this study was to apply control charts (CUSUM curves) to monitor the performance of NeoChord repair during the initial phase of its adoption. The first 112 consecutive patients who underwent NeoChord repair at our institution between November 2013 and March 2016 were included in the analysis. Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria for 1-year patient success was utilized to determine failed procedures. Control charts had predetermined acceptable and unacceptable failure rates of 5% and 15%, respectively. The actual incidence of 1-year-patient failure was 11% (12 of 112 cases), with a cluster of failures within the first 20 cases. The CUSUM analysis demonstrated an initial learning curve; however, the upper boundary (alarm line) was never crossed. The reassurance line was first crossed after 40 procedures and performance remained stable after 49 procedures. NeoChord repair is a safe procedure, and the results are maintained through the 1-year follow-up. A relative high number of implants were required to overcome the learning curve at our institution due to the concurrent development of patient selection criteria and the technical refinement of the procedure. Future studies are needed to assess the evolution of the learning curve after the wide adoption of the procedure across European and North American centres.

Prognostic impact of leaflet-to-annulus index in patients treated with transapical off-pump echo-guided mitral valve repair with NeoChord implantation

BackgroundThe transapical echo-guided NeoChord repair is a procedure to correct mitral regurgitation (MR) without the need for concomitant annuloplasty for degenerative mitral valve (MV) disease. Lacking strict criteria to define normal annular dimensions for patients undergoing MV repair, we consequently missed having precise selection criteria to identify patients who can benefit from a ringless procedure with respect to who would need a combined annular and leaflet repair. The aim of this study is to identify whether a new preoperative echocardiographic index may predict postoperative outcomes after NeoChord repair. MethodsAll consecutive patients with posterior leaflet disease who underwent NeoChord repair between November 2013 and January 2016 presenting complete postoperative echocardiographic assessment up to 1year were included. Leaflet-to-Annulus Index (LAI) was defined as the ratio between the sum of anterior leaflet length (AML) and posterior leaflet length (PML) over antero-posterior length (AP; AML+PML/AP). Measurements were performed with 2D transesophageal echocardiography. ResultsSixty-six patients were enrolled. At 1year MR was absent in (24) 38% of patients, mild in (28) 44%, moderate in (10) 16% and severe in (1) 2%. Logistic regression analysis identified LAI as positive prognostic predictor of MR≤mild for values >1.35 at 3months, 1.30 at 6months and 1.25 at 1year. At 30days LAI was not associated with the grade of residual MR. ConclusionsLAI is a positive postoperative predictor of MR≤mild at 1-year follow-up and can be used to identify patients who could benefit from a ringless NeoChord repair procedure for the absence of a leaflet-to-annulus mismatch.

Acute intraoperative echocardiographic changes after transapical off-pump mitral valve repair with NeoChord implantation

ObjectivesOur aim is to investigate the acute intraoperative effects of the NeoChord repair procedure on mitral valve (MV) annular geometry and LV function and the impact of these changes on MR at 1-year follow-up. BackgroundRecently transapical off-pump mitral valve repair with NeoChord implantation has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed baseline and early postoperative 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography of 66 patients who underwent NeoChord repair for isolated posterior leaflet MV disease using semiautomatic off-line analysis software. ResultsWe observed a significant acute reduction of indexed LV end diastolic volume (Δ% = 14, p < .001), LV ejection fraction (Δ = 5.7%, p = .002), indexed left atrial volume (Δ = 14.7%, p = .045), and pulmonary artery pressure (Δ = 2.1%, p = .026). Among MV geometric parameters, we observed a significant reduction of MV antero-posterior diameter (Δ = 7%, p < .001), sphericity index (Δ = 8%, p < .001), annulus circumference (Δ = 0.9%, p = .021), and annulus area (Δ = 2.7%, p = .018). At 1-year, 53 patients (85.5%) presented MR ≤ mild, while 9 patients (14.5%) had MR ≥ moderate. Reduction of AP diameter (OR = 0.14, CI −3.83; 0.08, p < .001), annulus circumference (OR = 0.27, CI −2.98; 0.37, p = .005), MV area (OR = 0.39, CI −2.46; 0.61, p = .04), aorto-mitral angle (OR = 0.38, CI −2.49; 0.54, p = .002) and iEDV (OR = 0.44, CI −2.44; 0.81, p = .001) were independent protective factors against recurrence of MR greater than mild at 1-year follow-up. ConclusionsTransapical NeoChord repair produces important acute intraoperative changes in MV anatomy in DMR patients. The acute changes observed were associated with procedure durability at 1-year FU.

TCT-697 Leaflet-to-Annulus Index: an echocardiographic predictor of outcomes in patients treated with Neochord repair procedure

The transapical echo-guided Neochord repair is a procedure to treat degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) not requiring concomitant annuloplasty. There is no universal definition of normal annular dimensions crucial for patients undergoing mitral valve repair. We consequently miss to have selection

TCT-463 Echocardiographic Impact of Residual Mitral Regurgitation on Annular Dimensions and Ventricular Volumes After Neochord Repair Procedure

TCT-463 Echocardiographic Impact of Residual Mitral Regurgitation on Annular Dimensions and Ventricular Volumes After Neochord Repair Procedure

Is minimally invasive mitral valve repair with artificial chords reproducible and applicable in routine surgery?

Traditional resectional techniques and chordal transfer are difficult to apply in video-assisted mitral valve repair. Using artificial chords appears easier in this setting. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness and reproducibility of neochordal repair as a routine approach to minimally invasive mitral repair, and to assess the stability of neochord implantation using the figure-of-eight suture without pledgets in this setting. This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve repair from 2008 to 2013. The primary endpoints were recurrent mitral regurgitation and reoperation. A total of 426 consecutive patients were included during the study period, with a mean age of 55 ± 18 years. Neochords were used in all patients, and in association with leaflet resection in 47 patients. One patient was not repairable and underwent valve replacement (repair rate, 99.8%). Fifteen patients had Grade I (3.5%) regurgitation, whereas the remainder had none. Patients were fast-tracked, with 25% extubated in the operation theatre and the remainder within 6 h. There were 5 deaths within 30 days (1.2%). Follow-up ranged 3-60 months, during which all of the patients remained with no or trace mitral regurgitation. No de-insertion or rupture of any neochords was found, and no patients required a reoperation. Minimally invasive mitral valve repair using neochords provided a high rate of repair, reproducible results in a routine cardiac surgery setting and stable repair during follow-up. This has become our preferred technique for mitral valve surgery.

Artificial chordae in the setting of complex mitral valve repair: early outcomes using the folding leaflet technique

Neochordal repair is particularly limited in case of large prolapse with absence of a reference point on a nearby segment. Our aim was to overcome these limitations by means of a simple technique: the 'Folding Leaflet'. Ninety-six patients underwent this technique between January 2009 and August 2012 from a global mitral valve (MV) repair group of 384 patients. A subgroup of 68 patients with complex lesions, bileaflet, commissural or multisegment prolapse, was selected. These more challenging patients were considered as the study group in order to assess the efficacy of our technique. The neochordae were fixed to the papillary muscle with a simple stitch and then were passed through the free margin of the prolapsing leaflet. Free-edge remodelling was achieved weaving this suture and surpassing the coaptation line. Then, the leaflet was folded and its free margin was temporarily approximated edge-to-edge to the adjacent annulus. This was used as the reference point while the neochordae were tied without the need for adjacent healthy chordae or use of callipers. Complete echocardiographic follow-up was obtained at 6-month intervals. All patients had ≥ 2 prolapsed segments: posterior leaflet (40 patients), anterior leaflet (13 patients) or both leaflets (15 patients). Annuloplasty was routinely used and the mean number of neochordae per patient was 4.1 ± 2.2 (2-13). Mean follow-up was 28 ± 14 months (5-49 months). There was only one in-hospital death. Another patient died by pneumoniae (15th postoperative month). At the first-month follow-up, 51 patients had no mitral regurgitation (MR) and 16 patients had Grade 1 MR. Only 1 patient had more than mild regurgitation at the 6-month follow-up. There was no evidence of Grade 3 or 4 MR in any patient. At the 2-year follow-up, 34 patients remained with no MR or trace MR and 7 patients had Grade 1 MR. MV repair for complex degenerative MR using this technique of neochordal repair results in excellent early and mid-term outcomes. This technique facilitates the extensive use of neochordae in case of large areas of prolapse.

Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement and Neochordal Repair of Complex Aortic Leaflet Pathology for Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Fistulizing to the Right Ventricle

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs) are rare congenital entities arising from eccentric aortic root dilatation that can protrude and rupture into adjacent cardiac chambers. Treatment entails aneurysmal sac excision and aortic defect closure. We present a young patient with a ruptured SVA fistulizing into the right ventricle and acute decompensated heart failure. He also had moderate aortic root enlargement and a dysmorphic aortic valve with 3 highly asymmetrical leaflets. This pathologic condition was successfully repaired with a novel combination of valve-sparing root replacement, aortic valve leaflet neochordal repair, right ventricular reconstruction, and tricuspid valve annuloplasty.

179 * ARTIFICIAL CHORDAE IN THE SETTING OF COMPLEX MITRAL VALVE REPAIR: EARLY OUTCOMES USING THE FOLDING LEAFLET TECHNIQUE

Objectives: Neochordal repair is particularly limited in the case of large prolapse with absence of a reference point on a nearby segment. Our aim was to overcome these limitations by means of a simple technique, the “folding leaflet”. Methods: Ninety-six patients underwent this technique between January 2007 and August 2012. A subgroup of 68 patients with bileaflet, commissural or multisegment prolapse was selected. The neochordae were fixed to the papillary muscle with a simple stitch and then were passed through the free margin of the prolapsing leaflet. Free-edge remodelling was achieved, weaving this suture and surpassing the coaptation line. Then the leaflet was folded and its free margin was temporarily approximated edge-to-edge to the adjacent annulus. This was used as the reference point while the neochordae were tied without the need for adjacent healthy chordae or the use of callipers. Complete echocardiographic follow-up was obtained at 6-month intervals. Results: All patients had ≥2 prolapsed segments: posterior leaflet (40 patients), anterior leaflet (13 patients) or both leaflets (15 patients). Annuloplasty was routinely used and the mean number of neochordae per patient was 4.1 ± 2.2 (range 2-13). Mean follow-up was 28 ± 14 months (range 5-49 months). One patient died from pneumonia (15th postoperative month). At last follow-up, 42 patients remained with no or trace mitral regurgitation (MR), 23 patients had grade 1 MR and only one patient had grade 2 MR. Conclusions: Mitral valve repair for complex degenerative MR using this technique of neochordal repair results in excellent early and mid-term outcomes. This technique facilitates the extensive use of neochordae in the case of large areas of prolapse.

Reparación valvular mitral con cuerdas artificiales. ¿Qué aporta respecto a la técnica clásica?

BackgroundThe use of neochordal repair has recently increased, not only as a combined procedure with quadrangular resection, but also as an isolated technique. Our aim was to evaluate its impact on the feasibility and outcomes of mitral valve repair. Material and methodsA global group of 203patients underwent valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation between 1997-2011. Their mean age was 62±12years and 36% were females. Complex repair was considered in case of multi-scalloped, bileaflet or commissural prolapse. Two technical subgroups were compared: resection without neochordal repair (Group-A: 140patients) and neochordal repair without resection (Group-B: 46patients). Seventeen patients with artificial chordae combined with resection were excluded. Complexity of valvular lesions, early and long-term mortality and repair durability were studied. ResultsIn-hospital mortality was 3.4% (7patients); 4.3% in Group-A (6patients) and 2.2% in Group-B (one patient). Five and 10-year survival was 89±2% and 77±4%. At follow-up (58±42months), 22patients from Group-A (15.7%) and 2 from Group-B (4.3%) died. The recurrence of grade 3-4/4 mitral regurgitation in Group-B versus Group-A was 1 (2.2%) versus 20 (14.3%); P<.05. Sixty five patients (32.0%) underwent complex repairs, especially from Group-B: 27 (58.7%) vs 27 (19.3%), P<.0001. This group had a higher incidence of multi-scalloped prolapse (mean number of segments): 1.80±0.80 vs 1.20±0.44, P<.0001; anterior leaflet prolapse: 14 (30.4%) vs 14 (10.0%), P<.01, and multiple chordal rupture: 24 (52.2%) vs 29 (20.7%), P<.0001. ConclusionsNeochordal repair showed excellent mid-term results with significant increase of repair feasibility. Its use as an isolated procedure has been really effective in patients with more extensive and complex lesions

Resultados de la reparación mitral en función de la etiología: 15 años de seguimiento

BackgroundEtiology and other factors may influence the outcomes of mitral valve repair. We have analyzed survival and durability in a variety of etiologies. Material and Methods406 patients underwent mitral valve repair (1997–2011) with ages between 19–84 years. 156 were females (38.4%). 57.1% patients were in NYHA class III-IV. 5 groups were considered: degenerative (group-D), 203; ischemic (group-I), 90; functional (non-ischemic) (group-F), 19; rheumatic (group-R), 61 and endocarditis (group-E), 33 patients. Undersized annuloplasty was used in ischemic and functional groups. Quadrangular resection and neochordal repair were predominant in case of degenerative etiology whereas a variety of resective and reconstructive techniques were used in rheumatic and endocarditis groups. Results30-day mortality was 4.4%: 3.4%, 4.4%, 0%, 6.6% and 10% in respective groups. 5 and 10-year survival: 86±1% and 70±4%. Long-term mortality was higher in groups F and I (31.6% and 20%) compared with 12.3%, 11.5% and 13.3% in groups D, R and E. Group-D had higher durability and freedom from grade 3–4/4 mitral regurgitation than non-degenerative groups: 86±2 vs 84±2% (p=0.46) at 5 years and 82±3 vs 54±1% (p=0.02) at later follow-up. Group-R was associated with recurrent grade-3 and grade-4 mitral regurgitation (OR: 1.98, 95%-CI: 1.01–3.89; p=0.05 and OR: 3.31, 95%-CI: 1.17–9.32; p=0.02). 14 patients underwent mitral valve replacement: 3, 1, 1, 6 and 3. ConclusionsThe outcomes of mitral valve repair were successful. Survival, recurrence rate and reoperation were excellent in group-D. Rheumatic regurgitation had shorter durability and functional mitral regurgitation had lower survival.

Chordal Replacement Versus Quadrangular Resection for Repair of Isolated Posterior Mitral Leaflet Prolapse

In the past, chordal replacement techniques with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures have been primarily reserved for anterior leaflet pathology, whereas the more frequent posterior leaflet prolapse was treated by resection. This study reports midterm results of isolated posterior prolapse repair with chordal replacement without resection as opposed to the quadrangular resection. An analysis was made of 397 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve repair for isolated posterior leaflet prolapse between 2000 and 2007. Of them, 205 patients (52%) underwent quadrangular resection (group R, "resection") and 192 patients (48%) underwent a neochordal repair (group NR, "no resection"). The follow-up is 98% complete (mean follow-up of 383 survivors is 1.9+/-1.4 years). Overall 30-day mortality was 1.0% (4 of 397). Ten patients (2.5%) died late. Actuarial survival at 4 years for group R and group NR was 94%+/-3% and 98%+/-1%, respectively (p=0.99). Ten patients (2.5%) required a mitral valve-related reoperation after an average of 1.9+/-2 months. Freedom from reoperation at 4 years was 96%+/-1% for group R and 99%+/-1% for group NR (p=0.08). Generally, in patients of group NR, a larger annuloplasty ring could be implanted (mean size 32+/-2.5 versus 30+/-2, p<0.001). At latest follow-up, 94% of the patients showed no or grade I regurgitation, with no difference between groups. Repair of posterior mitral leaflet prolapse by chordal replacement is equally effective as classic quadrangular resection, permits the use of larger annuloplasty rings, offers a potentially more physiological repair with preserved leaflet mobility, and can be performed with excellent midterm results and a low incidence of reoperation.