Papillary muscle heads focalization for functional mitral valve regurgitation.

Abstract Mitral valve (MV) annuloplasty has been the gold standard for treatment of functional MV regurgitation (MR). However, annuloplasty for functional MR may cause augmented posterior leaflet tethering which results in functional anterior prolapse. Herein we added papillary muscle heads focalization for such patients. All separated papillary muscle heads are sutured together and the roots of chordae at each papillary muscle are unifocalized on both sides. Stiches are positioned at same distances from corresponding leaflet edges to adjust the height of leaflet edges in each segment. This is a simple and effective technique to correct for functional anterior prolapse after annuloplasty.