Annular remodelling with pericardial reinforcement: surgical technique and early results

Of 127 consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair of degenerative mitral valve incompetence between 1986 and 1992, 55 received posterior annuloplasty reinforced by an autologous pericardial tube. All patients had echocardiographic assessment before surgery and at discharge from hospital. There was one hospital death (0.78%) and one patient (0.79%) required early reoperation because of suture dehiscence. Postoperative fluoroscopy and echocardiography ascertained excellent relieve of the mitral regurgitation without any distortion of the annulus. It is concluded that early results with autologous pericardial annuloplasty are very promising, and a prospective follow up study is underway to assess mid to long term results.