Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
A Simplified Stepwise Approach to Echo Guidance during Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
Published on: October 16, 2021
Use of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch as an artificial leaflet in mitral valve plasty: an early experience
Toshiaki Ito1, Atsuo Maekawa, Koji Yamana
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. toshi-i@sannet.ne.jp
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patches as artificial mitral leaflets in complex mitral valve plasty.
Description:
Nineteen patients (mean age, 66 +/- 9 years) who were in need of mitral valve replacement successfully underwent mitral valve plasty with enlargement of the basal anterior leaflet using a PTFE patch.
Evaluation:
Operative and in-hospital mortality was 0%. Patients were followed-up by maintaining their history, physical examinations, and echocardiography. The mean follow-up period was 30 +/- 15 months (2 to 52 months) with one late mortality and one reoperation. A thin neointimal layer was observed on the explanted PTFE patch. The PTFE patch maintained its pliability with no signs of calcification, excessive thickening, or perforation for 4 years. Mean motion angle of the patch on echocardiography decreased from 41.1 +/- 10.6 to 35.2 +/- 12.5 degrees (p < 0.05) during 26.7 +/- 15.5 months of study (range, 6-46 months). The mean mitral valve area was 2.9 +/- 0.7 cm(2) at last follow-up.
Conclusions:
The PTFE patches may be a promising material for artificial mitral leaflets.
