title: A study of the mechanical properties of ePTFE suture used as artificial mitral chordae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the dimensional and mechanical properties of polyetetrafluorene (ePTFE) sutures used as artificial chordae during mitral valve repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mechanical properties of ePTFE synthetic chordae tendineae were tested with a servo hydraulic testing machine. Several different lengths from 2 to 14 cm were studied under both single and multiple mechanical traction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mechanical behavior of artificial chordae reveals that three centimeters is the length over which we observe a significant increase in stiffness. The chordae stiffness grows further at the length greater than seven centimeters following a low number of traction cycles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increase of the length of artificial ePTFE chordae is accompanied by an increasing stiffness that compromises the long-term resistance of the chordae. ePTFE length can alter the performance of artificial chordae. This suggests that mitral valve repairs which anchor ePTFE neochordae to the ventricular apex may have less durability than when anchored to the tips of the papillary muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sugery, San Gaudenzio Clinic, Health Care Group "Policlinico di Monza", Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Philippe Primo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Caimmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Innovation Technology, University Eastern Piedmont, UPO, Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabbatini
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Human Anatomy, University Eastern Piedmont, UPO, Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fusaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Science, University Eastern Piedmont, UPO, Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borrone
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Human Anatomy, University Eastern Piedmont, UPO, Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cannas
mesh_terms: D002815:Chordae Tendineae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000601:surgery; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008422:Materials Testing; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene