title: Left ventricular reconstruction by modified linear technique with absorbable suture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Linear and endoventricular techniques of left ventricular (LV) reconstruction often utilise prosthetic material for epicardial reinforcement or endocardial patch. We report a technique of LV aneurysm repair using absorbable suture without prosthetic material.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 1999 and August 2004, 55 patients underwent linear LV reconstruction, for ischaemic cardiomyopathy, using only continuous 3/0 polydioxanone suture. Survival, functional class and echocardiographic outcomes are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two patients (mean age 64+/-10 years) were studied. There was no perioperative mortality and the Kaplan-Meier survival at five years was 81%. Fifty-one patients underwent postoperative follow up (mean 28 months) with echocardiography (mean 20 months). There were no recurrent aneurysms. The postoperative LV eccentricity index (EI) was 0.72 (CI 0.48-0.9). Mean LV ejection fraction increased from 0.33+/-0.09 preoperatively to 0.41+/-0.15 at late follow up (mean within patient change 0.08+/-0.15, p=0.003). Mean symptom class improved from 3.3+/-0.8 to 1.6+/-0.7 (mean within patient improvement 1.6+/-1.0, p<0.001). Mitral regurgitation of grade 2/4 was identified in six patients and grade 3/4 in one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Linear repair with absorbable suture material and without prosthetic material may be safely undertaken with good early and mid-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney West Area Health Service, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
authors.forename: Jayme S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bennetts
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Byth
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Hugh S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D016687:Polydioxanone; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D016687:Polydioxanone