How To Do It: Mitral Valve Translocation

Mitral valve translocation (MVT) is a novel procedure that was developed to treat patients with severe, symptomatic, secondary mitral regurgitation (MR). MVT enhances leaflet coaptation by insertion of an autologous pericardial patch interposed between the mitral annulus and the native mitral leaflets. The patch substantially increases total leaflet surface area and creates supranormal coaptation. In addition, it relieves leaflet tethering by transposing the native valve deeper into the ventricle and decreases the circumference of the annulus. The enhanced coaptation produced by MVT may protect against recurrent MR in patients with continued adverse left ventricular remodeling. The procedural steps include detachment of the intact native mitral valve at the annulus, placement of interrupted pledgeted sutures around the annulus to secure the proximal aspect of the patch, and attachment of the native valve to the distal aspect of the patch using running suture. Follow-up of patients who have undergoing MVT is ongoing, with satisfactory short-term results, including sustained MR grades of ≤mild and 14 mm coaptation at 12 months.