Procedure

Chordal transfer for repair of anterior leaflet prolapse

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA

^* Corresponding author: ^* Tel.: +1-216-445-8841, fax: +1-216-444-0777. Email: gillinom{at}ccf.org

Chordal transfer is a reliable technique for correction of anterior leaflet prolapse. In most cases, normal chordae and a strip of leaflet tissue are transferred from the posterior leaflet to the free edge of unsupported anterior leaflet; the posterior leaflet is repaired as after a quadrangular resection with either a sliding repair or a standard repair. Occasionally, secondary anterior leaflet chordae may be transferred from the undersurface of the anterior leaflet to its unsupported free edge, effecting a rapid and effective repair. After chordal transfer, annuloplasty completes the mitral valve repair.

Key Words: Mitral valve repair • mitral prolapse • anterior leaflet • mitral valve surgery • chordal transfer