Modified chordal sparing mitral valve replacement as effective technique for both stenotic and insufficient mitral valves.

Background: Chordal apparatus preservation is important for preserving left ventricular (LV) function in the long-term perspective. We present results of originally modified chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement (MVR) successfully used in patients with mitral stenosis and mitral insufficiency.

Methods: The modified surgical method involves preserving only four strut chords with portions of the mitral valve leaflets, which are later fixed to the fibrous ring.

[Dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: high-risk reconstructive surgery as an alternative to heart transplantation].

The authors report the diagnosis and surgical treatment of 5 patients with dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Features of these patients are progressive heart failure, double-level blood flow obstruction and the risk of apical aneurysms. Reconstructive remodeling surgery is a reasonable alternative to heart transplantation despite the existing risk.

Low mutation rate in the TTN gene in paediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy - a pilot study.

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cardiomyopathy with the prevalence of 1:250, and at least one-third of all the cases are inherited. Mutations in the TTN gene are considered as the most frequent cause of inherited DCM and cover 10-30% of the cases. The studies were mainly focused on the adult or mixed age group of patients with DCM.

[Myocardial Crypt of the Left Ventricle Combined With Barlows syndrome].

Myocardial crypts were initially described in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Modern diagnostic data show that this structural abnormality can be found in patients with other diseases, or might represent the variant of normal heart development in healthy individuals. The prognostic significance of this finding is uncertain.

New intronic splicing mutation in the LMNA gene causing progressive cardiac conduction defects and variable myopathy.

Background: Most of mutations in the LMNA gene are unique and have been found in only a few unrelated families. The clinical interpretation of new genetic variants, especially beyond the coding area and canonical splice sites, is proving to be difficult and requires advanced investigation.

Methods: This study included patients with progressive cardiac conduction defects with neuromuscular involvement.