title: Artificial chordae tendinae: long-term changes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.forename: Jagdish
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butany
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silversides
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Leask
authors.forename: Tirone E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D002815:Chordae Tendineae / Q000601:surgery*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome