Use of a New Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Multichordal Mitral Apparatus (Mitrapatch) to Repair Complex Mitral Valve Lesions

Abstract

Objective We report a new expanded polytetrafluoroethylene multichordal mitral apparatus (MitraPatch) to simplify mitral repairs involving multiple cusps and sought to describe the surgical technique and demonstrate the efficacy of the device. Methods MitraPatch was laser cut from a single sheet of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and mounted on a custom-designed handle. Surgical technique to deploy the apparatus on the native mitral valve was developed in ex vivo porcine hearts. Hemodynamic efficacy of repairing mitral prolapse and regurgitation was assessed in ex vivo hearts and in five 30-day chronic swine, with histopathology in an additional swine at 120 days after implantation. Results In ex vivo heart studies, leaflet coaptation was restored from 0 mm at the posterior prolapsing segment to 8.1 ± 2.2 mm after repair with the MitraPatch ( P < 0.05) and to 10.2 ± 1.3 mm after the repair of the anterior leaflet ( P < 0.05). In in vivo studies, valve function at 30 days was considered good, with none to trace regurgitation. Device was flexible, without tissue overgrowth or dehiscence. At 120 days, complete endothelialization was observed. Conclusions The multichordal MitraPatch can potentially simplify complex mitral valve repairs involving multiple leaflet cusps, possibly enabling an optimal mitral repair even by surgeons without the focused high-volume experience.