New chorda formation of mitral valve using expended-polytetrafluoroethylene sutures was performed in six patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) from April, 1994 to March, 1995. There were 3 men and 3 women whose mean age was 65 years, ranged
from
55 to
75. A double-armed pledget suture was passed through the lateral portion of papillary muscle head and tied. Each arm of the suture was brought up to the free margin of the leaflet and passed through the area where the native chorda was attached.
At
leaflet surface, one more weaving was made. After the lengths of the two arms were adjusted, the ends were tied. There were no operative deaths. Patients have been followed up from 2 to 13 months, mean 8. Echocardiographic sutudies were performed
at 10
days after operation and revealed normal mitral valve function in all patients.
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