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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
08:31
A Simplified Stepwise Approach to Echo Guidance during Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
Published on: October 16, 2021
Percutaneous treatment for mitral regurgitation: the QuantumCor system
Richard R Heuser1, Thomas Witzel, Duane Dickens
1St. Luke's Medical Center, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, USA. rheuser@affcard.com
Journal of Interventional Cardiology
|February 6, 2008
Summary
Radiofrequency (RF) energy effectively reduced mitral annular size in sheep, eliminating mitral regurgitation (MR). This novel technique shows promise for a less invasive mitral valve annuloplasty, potentially reducing patient morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Medical Devices
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Current mitral regurgitation (MR) treatments like edge-to-edge repair and annuloplasty have limitations, including inability for re-intervention and foreign body implantation.
- The mitral and tricuspid annuli, composed of dense collagen, are potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
- Radiofrequency (RF) energy has demonstrated efficacy in reducing annular size in animal models, with potential for repeat application without adverse effects on coronary structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using RF energy to reshape the mitral annulus and improve mitral valve competence.
- To develop a minimally invasive approach for mitral valve repair using RF energy.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of RF energy application to the mitral annulus in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- Open-heart procedures were performed on 16 healthy sheep, with 6 exhibiting naturally occurring MR.
- A malleable RF probe was used to deliver energy to four segments of the posterior mitral valve annulus.
- Intracardiac echocardiography and direct annular measurements were employed to assess changes before and after RF therapy.
Main Results:
- RF therapy, administered in under 4 minutes, significantly reduced the anteroposterior (AP) mitral annular distance by 23.8% (P<0.001).
- In sheep with nonischemic MR, regurgitation was completely eliminated post-treatment.
- Histopathology revealed no acute damage to cardiac structures, and sustained annular reduction was observed at 30-day follow-up.
Conclusions:
- RF energy application to the mitral annulus is a safe and effective method for reducing annular dimensions and eliminating nonischemic MR in a sheep model.
- This technique offers a potential novel, percutaneous approach to mitral valve annuloplasty.
- Further studies are warranted to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of RF energy for mitral valve repair, potentially reducing associated morbidity and mortality.
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