OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the chordae tendineae force distribution on systolic mitral leaflet geometry and mitral valve competence in vitro. BACKGROUND Functional mitral regurgitation is caused by changes in several elements of the valve apparatus. Interaction among these have to comply with the chordal force distribution defined by the chordal coap...

The echocardiographic findings from six patients with ruptured chordae tendineae from the posterial mitral valve leaflet and three with ruptured chordae from the anterior leaflet are reported; in all cases the diagnosis was later proven by openheart surgery. The constellation of echocardiographic findings suggesting iruptured chordae tendineae to the posterior leaflet are: (1) The appearance of...

BACKGROUND The procedure of quadrangular resection and suture for prolapsed posterior leaflet of the mitral valve is a reliable and reproducible method that achieves excellent long-term results. However, triangular resection and suture of a prolapsed anterior leaflet is not widely supported and different techniques have been advocated. The aim of this study was to review our experience of mitra...

We are using leaflet movements in Albizzia julibrissin as a model system for investigating the chronobiology of aging. To monitor leaflet movements during long dark periods with adequate temporal and spatial resolution, we designed an automated, computerized photoelectric monitoring system. Each of 12 leaflet pairs was positioned in an individual light-proof container, with one leaflet immobili...

Posterior leaflet prolapse following chordal elongation or rupture is one of the primary valvular diseases in patients with degenerative mitral valves (MVs). Quadrangular resection followed by ring annuloplasty is a reliable and reproducible surgical repair technique for treatment of posterior leaflet prolapse. Virtual MV repair simulation of leaflet resection in association with patient-specif...

BACKGROUND Tricuspid regurgitation in hypoplastic left heart syndrome has an impact on outcome, but its mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 35 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (age, 1 month to 10 years; 10 after first-stage Norwood, 12 after superior cavopulmonary shunt, 13 after Fontan). From the 3-dimensional ...

BACKGROUND Recently, it has been hypothesized that mitral leaflet remodelling may play a role in the pathophysiology of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). We investigated the characteristics, determinants, and relation of mitral leaflet remodelling to FMR severity. METHODS AND RESULTS Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic data of the mitral valve (MV) were studied in 30 pat...

BACKGROUND Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) involves significant remodeling of the left ventricular-mitral valve (MV) complex, but little is known regarding the remodeling of the mitral leaflets. The aim of this study was to assess changes in matrix composition and turnover in MV leaflets with DCM. METHODS AND RESULTS Radiopaque markers were implanted in 24 sheep to delineate the MV; 10 sheep und...