Mitral valve repair with Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring for ischemic mitral regurgitation: Early echocardiographic results from a multi-center study

BACKGROUND - Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is associated with asymmetric changes in annular and ventricular geometry. Surgical repair with standard symmetric annuloplasty rings results in a high incidence of residual or recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR). The Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams (CMA) IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring is the first remodeling ring specifically designed to treat asymmetric leaflet tethering and annular dilatation. We used quantitative 2-dimensional echo to examine early results of mitral valve (MV) repair with the CMA IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring in patients with IMR. METHODS AND RESULTS - Fifty-nine patients (aged 68±12 years) with grade ≥2+ IMR (graded on a scale of 0 to 4+) underwent MV repair with the CMA IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring. We assessed the mitral annular diameter (MAD), tethering area (TA), and tenting height (TH) of the MV in 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long axis views at mid-systole before and 3 to 10 days after surgery. After surgery, 57 of 59 (97%) patients had grade 0 or 1+ MR, whereas 2 patients had 2+ MR. MV repair with the CMA IMR ETlogix ring significantly reduced MAD, TA, and TH (P<0.001, for all 3 echo views), particularly in the long axis and 4-chamber views. CONCLUSION - Surgical repair of IMR with the novel asymmetric CMA IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring provided excellent early results with effective reduction of MR, MAD, and leaflet tethering. This novel etiology-specific strategy may result in improved outcomes in IMR patients.