Choice of Artificial Chordae Length According to Echocardiographic Criteria Antonio M. Calafiore, MD The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Volume 81, Issue 1, Pages 375-377 (January 2006) DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.08.071 Copyright © 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 1 Perioperative transesophageal echocardiogram. The distance A between the edge of the prolapsing portion of the anterior leaflet and the plane of the mitral annulus is measured. In this case, A is 5 mm. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2006 81, 375-377DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.08.071) Copyright © 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 2 When the mitral valve is exposed, the elongated chorda is measured with a ruler. In this case, the length is 30 mm. (AL = anterior leaflet.) The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2006 81, 375-377DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.08.071) Copyright © 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 3 (A) A mark is applied with a pen to indicate the length of the new chorda (30 to 5 = 25 mm). (B) The Gore-Tex suture (W. L. Gore & Assoc) is then tied at that level. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2006 81, 375-377DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.08.071) Copyright © 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions
Fig 4 Postoperative transesophageal echocardiogram. Absence of mitral regurgitation. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2006 81, 375-377DOI: (10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.08.071) Copyright © 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Terms and Conditions