A Simple Method of Making Artificial Chordal Loops for Mitral Valve Repair

Artificial chordal replacement with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is an established technique for mitral valve repair. This report describes a simple technique of using Hegar dilators for making premeasured artificial chordal loops, whether as a single set of loops or as two connected sets of loops arising from the same stem. This technique uses a simple and widely available tool, the Hegar dilator, for preparation of chordal loops and further establishes the repair of opposing two segments of mitral valve by securing only one stem of the neochordae to the papillary muscle. (Ann Thorac Surg 2010;89:e12-4) (C) 2010 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons