Initial Experience and Early Results of Mitral Valve Repair With CardioCel Pericardial Patch

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a tissue engineering process–treated bovine pericardium patch (CardioCel, Admedus Regen Pty Ltd, Perth, Australia) in the setting of reconstructive mitral valve surgical procedures. Description: Between March 2014 and April 2016, 30 patients (57.2 ± 14.3 years of age; 27% female) underwent mitral valve leaflet repair with a CardioCel patch. Evaluation: Perioperative mortality was 7% (2 patients, non–graft related). In the 28 remaining patients, predischarge echocardiography demonstrated good repaired valve function. At a mean follow-up of 1.7 ± 0.9 years, three additional deaths occurred (two resulting from infective endocarditis and one non–cardiac related). On follow-up echocardiography (follow-up time of 1.7 ± 0.8 years; available for 26 of 28 [93%] hospital survivors), recurrent regurgitation was seen in 2 patients (both with infective endocarditis), and 1 patient underwent reoperation (no infection at the level of patch repair was observed). In the remaining patients, the most recent echocardiogram demonstrated no regurgitation or mild regurgitation and stable gradients. The thickness and echodensity of the implanted patch on follow-up echocardiograms were comparable with postoperative echocardiograms. Conclusions: Initial results with the CardioCel patch in mitral valve repair operations were satisfactory. The resistance to infection and late degeneration will need to be assessed in the future.