Coronary sinus stent implantation improves acute ischaemic mitral valve regurgitation; an experimental safety and efficacy study.

Aims: Percutaneous implantation of a large stent was performed in the coronary sinus of pigs, to assess safety and immediate efficacy for reduction of acute ischaemic mitral regurgitation.

Methods And Results: Acute ischaemic mitral regurgitation (MR) was produced in seven pigs, continuously monitored with echocardiography, during repeated balloon inflations in the proximal left circumflex artery. The protocol was repeated following placement of a stent in the coronary sinus.