Percutaneous mitral valve repair: A feasibility study in an ovine model of acute ischemic mitral regurgitation

Annuloplasty is the cornerstone of surgical mitral valve repair. A percutaneous transvenous catheter‐based approach for mitral valve repair was tested by placing a novel annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus of sheep with acute ischemic mitral regurgitation. Mitral regurgitation was reduced from 3–4+ to 0–1+ in all animals ( P < 0.03). The annuloplasty functioned by reducing septal‐lateral mitral annular diameter (30 ± 2.1 mm preinsertion vs. 24 ± 1.7 mm postinsertion; P < 0.03). These preliminary experiments demonstrate that percutaneous mitral annuloplasty is feasible. Further study is necessary to demonstrate long‐term safety and efficacy of this novel approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2003;60:410–416.© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.