Safety and feasibility of a novel adjustable mitral annuloplasty ring: a multicentre European experience†

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent mitral regurgitation is a significant problem after mitral valve repair in patients with functional valve disease. We report the safety and feasibility of a novel adjustable mitral annuloplasty device that permits downsizing of the anterior–posterior diameter late after initial surgery. METHODS: In this multicentre, non-randomized, observational register, patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation undergoing surgical mitral valve repair with the MiCardia EnCorSQ™Mitral Valve Repair system were evaluated. Patient characteristics, operative speci-fications and results as well as postoperative follow-up were collected for all five centres. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients with a median age of 71 (64–75) years (EuroSCORE II 6.7 ± 6.3; 66 % male, 48 % ischaemic MR, 37 % dilated cardiomyopathy and 15 % degenerative disease) were included. Operative mortality was 1 % and the 1-year survival was 93%. Ring adjust-ment was attempted in 12 patients at a mean interval of 9 ± 6 months after surgery. In three of these attempts, a technical failure occurred