BACKGROUND AND AIM: We present the clinical and pathological findings of a patient who underwent mitral valve repair, with synthetic chordae, for rheumatic disease 13 years earlier. METHODS: Echocardiographic, pathologic, and histologic examination of a previously repaired mitral valve using artificial chordae tendinae. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Extensive fibrosis and thickening, consisting of fibroblasts and mature collagen, in time surrounds the artificial chorda rendering it indistinguishable from its native counterparts on gross examination and even during echocardiography.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: We present the clinical and pathological findings of a patient who underwent mitral valve repair, with synthetic chordae, for rheumatic disease 13 years earlier. METHODS: Echocardiographic, pathologic, and histologic examination of a previously repaired mitral valve using artificial chordae tendinae. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Extensive fibrosis and thickening, consisting of fibroblasts and mature collagen, in time surrounds the artificial chorda rendering it indistinguishable from its native counterparts on gross examination and even during echocardiography.