Effects of mitral valve replacement with and without chordal preservation on cardiac function: early and mid-term results.

Background: Convention mitral valve (MV) replacement is known to cause deterioration in the left ventricle function, the major mechanism responsible being disruption of the annulo-papillary continuity, thus favoring preservation of the mitral subvalvular apparatus. The aim of this study was to compare the early and midterm results, in terms of cardiac mechanics and clinical outcomes, of preserving the subvalvular apparatus (partial/complete) verses resection during mitral valve replacement.

Methods: This was a prospective non randomised trial.