A papillary-ventricular complex repair technique for functional mitral regurgitation

The objective of this study was to describe a simple and reproducible papillary-ventricular complex technique for repairing functional mitral regurgitation. To avoid a recurrence of mitral regurgitation subsequent to left ventricular remodelling, we performed papillary muscle plication and papillary muscle and head approximation in combination with relocation of the papillary muscle heads to correct any anterior and or posterior mitral leaflet discrepancy and to preserve the papillary-ventricular complex. Preliminary results in 7 patients showed an encouraging functional improvement following surgery. Future long-term controlled studies in a greater number of patients are required to further assess this novel technique.