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Current repair options for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) are not durable and do not adequately address underlying pathophysiology including leaflet tethering and insufficient coaptation. The feasibility of mitral valve translocation as a repair strategy for FMR was examined in normal swine. Seven pigs (median 62 kg, IQR 55–65 kg) with normal cardiac function were implanted with a 1-cm frustum-shaped pericardial patch inserted between the native mitral annulus and intact mitral leaflets. Operative survival was 100% with no post-procedure mitral stenosis, systolic anterior motion, or central mitral regurgitation observed on echocardiography. Post-translocation mean gradient was 3.5 mmHg (IQR 1.5–4 mmHg); trace or mild suture line leaks on the atrial suture line were noted in 5/7 pigs. Median leaflet coaptation increased from 2.4 (IQR 2.1–4.3 mm) to 12.4 mm (IQR 10.8–13.4 mm) after translocation (P = 0.016). Translocation dramatically increases leaflet coaptation without impairing diastolic function in animals with normal left ventricular function and is a promising technique for repair of FMR. Implantation of a 1.0-cm circumferential pericardial patch (mitral valve translocation) increases leaflet coaptation in a normal animal model [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to present a rigorous method to analyse the intraoperative echocardiographic images from the novel mitral translocation procedure, which assesses the changes in mitral structure and function and compares this data to a control group of patients who have no mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS Transoesophageal echocardiography was post-processed using dedicated 3D software. Ten patients with normal mitral valves (MV) undergoing non-mitral cardiac surgery served as controls. Mitral coaptation area, mid-leaflet coaptation length and mitral annular circumference were measured in 3D. RESULTS Twenty-three consecutive patients with severe secondary MR underwent MV translocation. All patients had none/trace MR post-translocation. The mean coaptation surface area increased from 63 to 427 mm2 (P < 0.001) and coaptation length increased from 1.0 to 10.5 mm (P < 0.001). The control group coaptation surface area (136 mm2) and length (2.5 mm) were greater than pre-translocation (P = 0.019; P < 0.001) and less than post-translocation (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). 3D mitral annular circumference in the translocation group decreased 15% (130–110 mm) (P < 0.001). Post-translocation, the mean gradient was 2(2–3) mmHg with the diastolic mitral orifice area of 3.4 ± 0.3 cm2 by planimetry and 3.5 ± 0.3 cm2 by pressure half-time. The coaptation to septum distance remained unchanged (P = 0.305) without systolic anterior leaflet motion. CONCLUSIONS This echocardiographic analysis method demonstrates that MV translocation abolishes secondary MR, increases coaptation area and length and produces acceptable diastolic function. This method of analysis should allow precise structural and quantitative assessment of the durability of the repair in future long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic necessitated a drastic increase in the use of telemedicine. There is little information about the effectiveness of telemedicine in cardiac surgery. We examined clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction among patients who had in‐person versus telemedicine preoperative appointments in a subspecialized mitral valve surgical practice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had elective mitral valve operations between January 2019 and February 2021. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the format of the preoperative appointment (telemedicine or in‐person). Preoperative characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. All patients who had a telemedicine appointment were sent an online survey to assess their satisfaction with the process. Results: Among 286 patients analyzed, 197 (69%) had in‐person preoperative evaluations and 89 (31%) had telemedicine evaluations. The in‐person and telemedicine groups had similar preoperative and operative characteristics. Outcomes did not differ between the 2 groups, including ventilation time (3.7 vs. 4.1 h, p =.399), total length of stay (5 vs. 5 days, p =.949), 30‐day mortality (0% vs. 1%, p =.311), and readmissions within 30 days (13% vs. 8%, p =.197). Among patients who completed the survey, 91% were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the telemedicine preoperative appointment. Conclusion: Patients who had telemedicine preoperative appointments before mitral valve operations during the COVID‐19 pandemic had similarly excellent clinical outcomes to patients who had in‐person preoperative appointments before the pandemic. Patients had relatively high levels of satisfaction with telemedicine and almost half preferred telemedicine for future visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal translocation patch width for functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) treatment was evaluated in an air-filled ex vivo system. FMR was created in 19 isolated swine hearts by annular dilation and papillary muscle displacement. Frustum-shaped pericardial patches of varying widths (Group 1 = 0.5 cm; Group 2 = 1.0 cm; Group 3 = 1.5 cm) were implanted and imaged via a 3D-structured light scanner. Median leaflet coaptation decreased (P < 0.001) from 5.5 ± 2.0 mm at baseline to 2.4 ± 1.3 mm following FMR creation. Translocation repair increased coaptation length over FMR levels by 2.2 mm in Group 1 (P < 0.001), 4.6 mm in Group 2 (P < 0.001), and 4.7 mm in Group 3 (P < 0.001). After repair, no significant differences were found between groups for annular height, circularity index, tenting height, tenting area, and non-coapting surface area. The supranormal coaptation and minimal valve geometric changes support using a 1.0- or 1.5-cm translocation patch for FMR treatment. Implantation of a 1.0-cm or 1.5-cm circumferential pericardial patch (mitral valve translocation) increases leaflet coaptation length without significantly altering valve geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]