Mitral Butterfly: Preclinical Experience of a Novel Chordal Repair Device Using an Artificial Papillary Muscle

Transcatheter mitral repair is based on the principle of artificial monochordal repair. In this paper, the authors show an alternative, based on the realization of an artificial papillary muscle concept that avoids multiple chordal replacements and fixation in the myocardium. Unlike the interposition of artificial chordae between the free edge of the leaflet and the myocardium, the so-called Mitral Butterfly device collects a multitude of chordae in a matrix connected to a swing arm, stabilizing prolapsing forces with a broad atrial support. Device testing in chronic animal models and in silico substantiated the underlying device concept and performance after 90 days.