Surgical relocation of the posterior papillary muscle in chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Mitral annuloplasty is the preferred surgical treatment for chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. Although this is usually successful, leaflet restriction by apical displacement of the posterior papillary muscle tip may cause residual mitral regurgitation. Ventricular remodeling surgery is an effective procedure for surgical relocation of the posterior papillary muscle tip in the setting of a severely dilated left ventricle. Direct relocation of the posterior papillary muscle may be useful for patients with a minimally dilated left ventricle or regional left ventricular geometric changes causing mitral regurgitation. Such a surgical procedure is described.