OBJECTIVE: To present a new surgical approach that consists of the implantation of a mitral prosthesis smaller than the annulus with traction of the papillary muscles to reduce the sphericalness of the left ventricle. METHODS: Between December 1995 and September 2005, 116 heart disease patients were operated, all of whom were at end-stage despite of full medication. The patients were analysed according to clinical criteria, echocardiographic findings and morphology of the left ventricle. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 16.3% (19/116) and mid-term follow-up (38 ± 16 months) showed evidence of improvement in the clinical status and some echocardiographic parameters, in particular reduction of the sphericalness of the left ventricle. CONCLUSION: This technique, despite of the high mortality rate, offers a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of patients in refractory heart failure with cardiomyopathy associated to moderate or severe secondary mitral regurgitation.
Congestive heart failure; Dilated cardiomyopathy; Mitral valve insufficiency
