Repair of posterior mitral valve prolapse with a novel leaflet plication clip in an animal model

Abstract

Objective Recently there has been increased interest in minimally-invasive mitral valve prolapse repair techniques; however, these techniques have limitations. A technique was developed for treating mitral valve prolapse that utilizes a novel leaflet plication clip to selectively plicate the prolapsed leaflet segment. The clip’s efficacy was tested in an animal model. Methods Yorkshire pigs (n=7) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and mitral valve prolapse was created by cutting chordae supporting the P2 segment of the posterior leaflet. Animals were weaned off CPB and mitral regurgitation (MR) was assessed echocardiographically. CPB was reinitiated and the plication clip was applied under direct vision to the P2 segment to eliminate prolapse. Animals were survived for 2 hours. Epicardial echocardiography was obtained pre- and post-prolapse creation and 2 hours post-clip placement to quantify MR grade and vena contracta area. Posterior leaflet mobility and coaptation height were analyzed pre- and post-clip placement. Results There were no cases of clip embolization. Median MR grade increased from “trivial” (0–1.5) to “moderate-severe” post-MR creation (2.5–4+) (P<0.05), and decreased to “mild” post-clip placement (0–3+) (P<0.05). Vena contracta area tended to increase post-chordae cutting and decrease post-clip placement: 0.08±0.10cm2 vs. 0.21±0.15cm2 vs. 0.16±0.16cm2 (P=0.21). The plication clip did not impair leaflet mobility. Coaptation height was restored to baseline: 0.51±0.07cm vs. 0.44±0.18cm (P=1.0). Conclusions The leaflet plication clip can treat mitral valve prolapse in an animal model, restoring coaptation height without impacting leaflet mobility. This approach represents a simple technique that may improve the effectiveness of beating-heart and open-heart, minimally-invasive valve surgery.

Systolic anterior motion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a fluid–structure interaction computational model

“…A more drastic action is to induce a controlled ischemic event of part of the septal myocardium to reduce its volume by necrosis. Finally, the last possibilities are the septal myectomy, that is surgical removal of the abnormal grown portion inside the ventricle, or the mitral leaflet plication (resulting in shortened leaflets) [5]; these two approaches can also be combined together.…”