Anterior Mitral Leaflet Augmentation for Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Performed via a Right Thoracotomy Approach

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) after myocardial infarction is associated with poor long-term survival, and the optimal treatment strategy remains debated. The most common repair technique used is a restrictive annuloplasty. However, up to 15% to 30% of patients experience recurrent MR owing to progressive left ventricular remodeling and geometric distortion of the mitral valve apparatus. Anterior mitral leaflet augmentation using a pericardial patch, in combination with a true-sized mitral annuloplasty, has been proposed as an adjunctive technique to increase the durability of valve repair for ischemic MR. Herein, we describe 2 cases of anterior mitral leaflet augmentation with annuloplasty repair for severe ischemic MR via a minimally invasive right thoracotomy, and review the literature regarding patient selection and clinical outcomes of this technique.