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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Standardized Technique of Aortic Valve Re-implantation for Valve-sparing Aortic Root Replacement
Published on: December 11, 2017
[Mitral valve plasty for better long term results]
H Kasegawa1, T Furusawa, Y Okada
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sakakibara Heart Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Between July 1991 and January 1995, 74 patients with pure mitral valve regurgitation (MR) underwent mitral valve plasty (MVP) at out institute. Our procedure includes chordal replacement of the anterior leaflet with PTFE sutures (42 patients). There were one hospital death (1.4%) and two late deaths (2.7%) in this series. Only 2 patients (2.7%) needed valve replacement after unsatisfactory repair during the same operation. Late postoperative doppler echocardiographic study (mean follow-up, 12.0 months) showed less than mild regurgitation in 66 patients (95.7%) of 69 patients who are alive. In April 1993 we decided to complete the repair with no or only trivial regurgitant flow by intraoperative transesophageal echodoppler study (TEE). The results have remarkably improved. Late postoperative echodoppler study revealed less than mild reguritant flow in all 49 patients having undergone mitral valve repair with no or trivial regurgitation by intraoperative TEE. It is clear than the TEE study has contributed to the better quality of mitral valve plasty, and we believe that it is important for better long term results to complete mitral valve plasty with no or only trivial regurgitant flow.
Insights
Mitral valve repair using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) significantly improved outcomes for mitral regurgitation (MR) patients. Achieving no or trivial regurgitation during surgery led to excellent long-term results.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Echocardiography
Context:
- Pure mitral regurgitation (MR) presents a significant clinical challenge.
- Mitral valve plasty (MVP) is a surgical option for MR.
- Intraoperative assessment of repair quality is crucial for long-term success.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on mitral valve plasty (MVP) outcomes.
- To assess the efficacy of achieving no or trivial regurgitant flow during MVP.
- To determine the long-term results of MVP guided by TEE.
Summary:
- A study of 74 patients with pure MR undergoing MVP, including chordal replacement in 42.
- Initial outcomes showed a 1.4% hospital death rate and 2.7% late deaths, with 2.7% requiring reoperation.
- Implementing TEE to ensure no or trivial regurgitation during surgery improved outcomes, with all 49 subsequent patients showing less than mild regurgitation postoperatively.
Impact:
- TEE guidance significantly enhances the quality and long-term efficacy of mitral valve plasty.
- Achieving complete repair with no or trivial regurgitation is key to superior patient outcomes.
- This approach represents an advancement in surgical management of mitral regurgitation.
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Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
Mitral Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management

