Preservation of three-dimensional annular movement with the SJM-Seguin mitral annuloplasty ring

In order to achieve optimal annuloplasty during mitral valve repair, we developed a new device, the SJM-Seguin annuloplasty ring, with the aim of remodeling, correcting dilatation, and preserving physiologic annulus function. This ring has variable flexibility; that is, it is sufficiently rigid in its anterior region to maintain intercommissural distance, yet sufficiently flexible in its posterior region so as not to interfere with left ventricular function and to permit the natural three-dimensional annular mobility.

Following successful studies in animals, 75 patients were operated on for mitral regurgitation between January 1994 and May 1996. The patients' mean age was 60.4 +/- 13.2 years; 53.8% were men. The cause of mitral insufficiency was degenerative in 77.4% of patients, rheumatic in 12%, ischemic in 5.3%, and infectious in 5.3%. Associated procedures were carried out in 36% of the cases.

There were no intraoperative deaths, but two in-hospital deaths and one late death, all of which were unrelated to the annuloplasty ring. Mitral regurgitation, monitored by transesophageal echocardiography decreased from +3.42 +/- 0.6 before repair to +0.31 +/- 0.12 after repair (p < 0.005). Follow up was 100% at a mean of 14.2 months (range: 3 to 26 months). There were no annuloplasty-related complications, and especially no echocardiographically discernible systolic anterior motion. There were no transient ischemic attacks. One reoperation was performed due to endocarditis at nine months after initial repair. The average transmitral gradient was 1.94 mmHg.

This new annuloplasty ring provides, with the absence of any valve-related complications, correction of annular dilatation and remodeling of the annulus while respecting physiologic annulus function such as natural three-dimensional mobility.