Left atrioventricular valve repair technique in partial atrioventricular septal defects

Background. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of chordal transfer around the cleft on left atrioventricular valve competence in the late postoperative period. Methods. Forty-four adult patients underwent surgical correction of partial atrioventricular septal defect between 1983 and 1997. Fenestration was found in 8 patients (18.2%) and cleft, in 35 (79.5%). There was no chordal support of the free edges of the left superior and left inferior leaflets around the cleft in 18 patients. Two chordae were mobilized from the left lateral leaflet and reimplanted into the tip of the left superior and left inferior leaflets around the cleft. Results. At 5 years postoperatively, left atrioventricular valve insufficiency was severe in 5 patients and moderate in 11 patients who had had cleft closure alone. In contrast, severe valvular insufficiency was present in only 1 patient in the group with chordal transfer (p< 0.05). Reoperation was done in 5 patients with isolated cleft closure. Left AV valve replacement was performed in 1 patient. Conclusions. Chordal transfer plus cleft closure with interrupted sutures significantly reduces early and late left atrioventricular valve incompetence and also decreases the rate of reoperation.