Nine Years' Experience with the Chordal Cutting Technique in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

ObjectivesThe optimal surgical management of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation has not yet been clearly defined. Among the various approaches proposed, the excision of strut (or main) chordae, along with complete annuloplasty to relieve tethering, has been the one preferred by our institution to treat this particular subset of mitral disease. MethodsBetween October 2004 and May 2013, 11 patients underwent surgery for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. ResultsThere was no perioperative death. No patient was lost to follow-up. There was one late death due to respiratory failure three years after the operation, and one patient received a ventricular assist device ten months after surgery. The remaining patients are all alive with residual trivial-to-mild regurgitation. ConclusionChordal cutting associated with complete annuloplasty may be a good surgical option in chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12392 (J Card Surg 2014;29:605-608)