Artificial chordae.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures have been used for replacement of chordae tendineae since 1985. They have been used for correction of prolapse of mitral and tricuspid valve leaflets as well as for resuspension of the papillary muscles during mitral valve replacement when the native chordae cannot be preserved to maintain continuity between the mitral annulus and papillary muscles. The sutures used were 5CV Gore-Tex for replacement of the chordae tendineae of the anterior leaflet and 6CV for the posterior leaflet and commissural areas of the mitral valve. Initially one suture was used to create two artificial chordae, but as experience increased, the technique was modified and multiple pairs of artificial chordae were created with a single suture by passing successively through the fibrous portions of the a papillary muscle and the free margin of the prolapsing segment of leaflet, and tying the tends together on the papillary muscle head. This technique creates artificial chordae that are interdependent and their lengths are self-adjusting when pressure is exerted on the leaflets. From 1985 to 1998, 288 patients had artificial chordae used during mitral valve repair for degenerative disease of the mitral valve. Prolapse of both leaflets was present in 51% of patients, isolated prolapse of the anterior leaflet in 28%, and posterior leaflet in 21%. The mean follow-up was 4.8 +/- 3.0 years and was complete. At 10 years, the freedom from mitral regurgitation >2+ was 88 +/- 6% and the freedom from reoperation was 92 +/- 2%. Failures of repair were unrelated to the artificial chordae. Gore-Tex sutures are an excellent material to replace chordae tendineae, appear to be free of adverse effects, and have become a valuable adjunct to the surgical armamentarium to treat mitral and tricuspid valve disease.