Abstract
DATE: |
September 24, 2009 |
TIME: |
1:15 - 3:00 pm |
LOCATION: |
Center for Clinical Sciences Research (CCSR), Rm 4205 |
TITLE: |
How Do Annuloplasty Rings Affect Mitral Leaflet Dynamic Motion? |
SPEAKER: |
Wolfgnag Bothe, MD |
The mitral valve complex allows for a unidirectional blood flow from the left atrium (LA) to the left ventricle (LV) during the contraction phase of the heart (systole). This complex consists of several components: anterior and posterior mitral leaflets, mitral annulus, chords and papillary muscles. A malfunction of any of these components can lead to mitral regurgitation, a disease state that is characterized by a backflow of blood from the LV to the LA during systole. Surgical mitral valve repair is the current gold standard treatment and almost always includes the implantation of a so called annuloplasty ring. Annuloplasty rings have been repair devices of choice for many years and exist in various shapes and material properties. Such rings are implanted onto the mitral annulus, a dynamic structure with a 3-D saddle shape. All rings not only invariably change the shape and dynamics of the annulus, but may also affect geometry and dynamics of the leaflets. Such changes may alter stress patterns the leaflets are subjected to and, thus, result in suboptimal repair durability. Research I will present involves the assessment of the effects of different annuloplasty ring types on the dynamic motion of the two cited mitral leaflets in an experimental ovine model. We used the unique methodology of 4-D radiopaque marker tracking to determine anterior and posterior mitral leaflet excursions. Interestingly, the results revealed that annuloplasty rings with different shapes and material properties affect leaflet excursions differently. I will explain our findings and the methods used at the workshop in more detail.
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