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Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:786
© 2006 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Correspondence

Technique of Posterior Mitral Valve Restoration

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Iwate Medical University Memorial Heart Center, Iwate Medical University, 1-2-1, Chuodori, Morioka, 020 Iwate, Japan

(Email: h_izumoto{at}imu.ncvc.go.jp).

To the Editor:

We read with interest the report by Fundarò and associates [1] concerning an original technique of mitral valve repair. They are to be commended for bringing up an "original" technique and successfully treating patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation using the new technique.

They stated in this report that the technique includes partial detachment of the posterior leaflet from the annulus, annular plication, and posterior cusp plasty with a figure demonstrating their technique. In 1999, we reported exactly the same original technique of mitral valve repair as a "New Technique of Posterior Mitral Annuloplasty" elsewhere [2]. I believe that the technique of ours and that of Fundarò and associates [1] are identical. As the effect of the technique, we stated that "the posterior annulus is shortened and the posterior leaflet is advanced anteriorly, thereby gaining more coaptation" [2]. In addition, Fundarò and associates [1] stated that "the posterior leaflet is extended on the anteroposterior axis and reduced on the intercommissural axis, allowing better coaptation in the segment adjacent to annular plication" [1]. The difference between the two reports is that we utilized the technique in patients with mitral regurgitation of rheumatic cause and Fundarò and associates [1] utilized the technique in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation. The concept of the technique, details of the procedure, and the effect of the technique are similar. Therefore the technique described in their report is not their original.

We have been aware of the feasibility and workability of the technique in the surgical treatment of patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation. However we have not tried this in clinical settings. Again, I would like to thank Fundarò and associates [1] for drawing attention to the fact that mitral valve repair other than undersized annuloplasty may correct ischemic mitral regurgitation.

	References

Top References

 

1. Fundarò P, Pocar M, Moneta A, Donatelli F, Grossi A. Posterior mitral valve restoration for ischemic regurgitation Ann Thorac Surg 2004;77:729-730.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Izumoto H, Eishi K, Ohuchi S, Kawazoe K. New technique of posterior mitral annuloplasty J Card Surg 1999;14:270-272.[Medline]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Pocar, A. Moneta, and P. Fundaro Reply Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2006; 81(2): 786 - 787. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Kohei Kawazoe Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Izumoto, H. Articles by Kawazoe, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Izumoto, H. Articles by Kawazoe, K. Related Collections Valve disease Related Article