Subvalvular apparatus preservation is an important concept in mitral valve replacement (MVR) surgery that is performed to remedy mitral regurgitation. In this study, we sought to determine the effects of papillary muscle repositioning (PMR) on clinical outcomes andM itral valve replacement (MVR) with a mechanical or a bioprosthetic valve is one of the most performed cardiac surgical procedures. Although in recent years valve repair has usually been preferred to replacement, MVR is inevitable when repair is not feasible. After MVR, low cardiac output syndrome develops in some patients, because the subvalvular apparatus has not been spared.
1Because the subvalvular apparatus provides continuity between the mitral annulus and the left ventricular (LV) wall through the leaflets, chordae tendineae, and papillary muscles, it plays an important role in LV function.2 Several studies 3-5 have shown that protection of the subvalvular apparatus during MVR can decrease the risk of low cardiac output syndrome, reduce the operative mortality rate, and improve postoperative LV systolic function. Various approaches to subvalvular apparatus preservation have been developed. [6][7][8][9] Papillary muscle repositioning (PMR) is a subvalvular apparatus-sparing method that can be applied to both the anterior and posterior mitral annulus. In patients with LV dysfunction and mitral regurgitation, several studies 10,11 have shown favorable effects of papillary muscle repositioning on LV remodeling; however, the effect of subvalvular-apparatus-sparing surgery (including PMR) on LV mechanics has not yet been fully elucidated in patients who have isolated mitral stenosis and preserved LV function.