Severing a limited number of second-order chordae to the anterior leaflet can improve ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR). Some concerns have been raised regarding possible influence on regional and global left ventricle (LV) function. We evaluated changes in cardiac function in 5 normal sheep with cutting of pre-instrumented chords in the beating heart to maintain constant load.
Université René Descartes Paris, Faculté de Médecine, INSERM U633, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Cardiology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France. emmanuel.messas@free.fr