Artificial chordae tendinae: long-term changes.
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.
Privitera
Salvatore
S
Division of General Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Butany
Jagdish
J
Silversides
Candice
C
Leask
Richard L
RL
David
Tirone E
TE
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