Application and adjustment of artificial chordae to the mitral valve using an approach through the aortic valve.

Insertion of artificial chordae or shortening of native ones on the mitral valve with precise determination of their length can be done through the aortic annulus. This route was used to correct a prolapse of the anterior leaflet in 7 patients and resulted in stable repair with no residual insufficiency (4 patients) or trivial residual insufficiency (3 patients).