Use of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch as an artificial leaflet in mitral valve plasty: an early experience.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patches as artificial mitral leaflets in complex mitral valve plasty.


METHODS
Nineteen patients (mean age, 66 +/- 9 years) who were in need of mitral valve replacement successfully underwent mitral valve plasty with enlargement of the basal anterior leaflet using a PTFE patch.


RESULTS
Operative and in-hospital mortality was 0%. Patients were followed-up by maintaining their history, physical examinations, and echocardiography. The mean follow-up period was 30 +/- 15 months (2 to 52 months) with one late mortality and one reoperation. A thin neointimal layer was observed on the explanted PTFE patch. The PTFE patch maintained its pliability with no signs of calcification, excessive thickening, or perforation for 4 years. Mean motion angle of the patch on echocardiography decreased from 41.1 +/- 10.6 to 35.2 +/- 12.5 degrees (p < 0.05) during 26.7 +/- 15.5 months of study (range, 6-46 months). The mean mitral valve area was 2.9 +/- 0.7 cm(2) at last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The PTFE patches may be a promising material for artificial mitral leaflets.
Ito
Toshiaki
T
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. toshi-i@sannet.ne.jp
Maekawa
Atsuo
A
Yamana
Koji
K
Yoshizumi
Tomo
T
Sunada
Masatoshi
M
D000368:Aged; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002815:Chordae Tendineae / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene