Early echocardiographic results of transapical off-pump mitral valve repair with the NeoChord DS1000 device in patients with severe mitral regurgitation due to posterior leaflet prolapse: first experiences in Poland

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive techniques of mitral valve (MV) repair have been increasingly used in recent years. Transapical implantation of artificial chordae on a beating heart under 2D/3D transesophageal echocardiographic guidance with the NeoChord DS1000 device is a new surgical treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). AIM: To evaluate early results of MV repair with the NeoChord DS1000 device in the first group of consecutive patients operated on in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with severe MR due to posterior leaflet prolapse (81% male; mean age: 60.7 ±12.7 years) underwent MV repair with the NeoChord DS1000 system. There were 12 (57.1%) patients with type A (an isolated central prolapse/flail), 8 (38.1%) patients with type B (multisegment disease/flail) and 1 (4.8%) patient with type C (posterior/paracommisural area) MV prolapse. A flail leaflet was present in 12 (57.1%) patients. The median number of neochords was 3 (2–6). We assessed by echocardiography left-sided heart morphology and evaluated MR degree before and 6 months after chords implantation. RESULTS: Early procedural success was achieved in 100% of patients. At the 6-month follow-up nonsignificant MR (trace and mild) was detected in 17 (81.0%) patients, while moderate MR was detected in 4 (19.0%) patients; mean values of left-sided heart dimensions and volumes, mitral E and E’ velocity of lateral MV annulus significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: A novel procedure with the NeoChord DS1000 device is feasible in properly selected patients, and results in a significant reduction of MR degree and left ventricle and left atrium reverse remodeling at the 6-month follow-up.