Mitral Valve Annuloplasty with a Homemade Single-sized Polytetrafluoroethylene Band in Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

Background: Although mitral annuloplasty is an essential component of mitral repair, there remains little agreement on the ideal device to be used or the ideal sizing method. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report the early clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of patients undergoing repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation using a homemade single-sized (65 mm) Polytetrafluoroethylene band, and comparing it to the use of commercially available complete rigid rings. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study including 106 patients, who underwent mitral repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation at Cairo University Hospitals between February 2013 and July 2019. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group (A) included 69 patients who underwent repair with a single-sized band, and group (B) included 37 patients whose repair included the use of a commercial rigid ring. The primary endpoint was freedom from significant mitral regurgitation at one-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints included mean mitral valve gradient measured postoperatively, and freedom from reoperation at one year. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in any of the above-mentioned endpoints being examined. Conclusion: The use of a single-sized Polytetrafluoroethylene band for annuloplasty in degenerative mitral disease showed satisfactory results comparable to the commercial rigid rings. Further studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm the durability of mitral repair using this technique.