Loop technique for mitral valve repair

A new artificial chordal reconstruction technique has been developed using several expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) loops. This technique differs from conventional artificial chordal reconstruction in the use of premeasured ePTFE loops. The loop technique involves several steps: (1) assessment of the corresponding papillary muscle; (2) measurement of the required ePTFE loop length; (3) making a loop set of the premeasured length; (4) anchoring the loop set to the papillary muscle; (5) fixing the ePTFE loops to the prolapsing leaflet; (6) adjusting the loop length if necessary; and (7) ring implantation. Favorable early and mid-term results of this loop technique have been reported in patients undergoing mitral valve repair through mini-thoracotomy and via median sternotomy, with 3-year survival and re-operation-free rates of 94.8 and 97.4 %, respectively. The loop technique using ePTFE chordal reconstruction with premeasured loops thus appears to be a safe, reliable, and reproducible technique for mitral valve repair. In addition, it is suitable for both minimally invasive and conventional sternotomy approaches, and represents a useful technique for treating posterior, anterior, and especially bi-leaflet prolapses.