Abstract
Background To establish the criteria for selecting a mitral annuloplasty ring of the correct size, the dimensions of the mitral valve orifice were analyzed in cadaveric hearts. Materials and Results From December 2000 to July 2006, the mitral valve diameter [DM (Obs)] and Z-values [DM (Z); standardized value based on Rowlatt's criteria], the angles of the trigones (θTg) and commissures (θCom) and the intertrigonal distance [L (T)] were measured in 82 fresh cadaveric hearts from cases with variable causes of death (mean age 64.8±15.7 years; body surface area [BSA] 1.51±0.21 m2). DM (Obs), DM (Z) and L (T) were 2.8±0.5 cm, 1.16±0.98, and 1.8±0.2 cm, respectively. Theta Tg and θCom averaged 76±13 and 121±11 degrees, respectively. There was a significant inverse linear relationship between DM (Z) and θTg [θTg =-10× DM (Z) +88] and a significant logarithmic correlation between L (T) and BSA [L (T) =0.54×Ln (BSA) +1.55]. The anterior annular length and L (T) remained unchanged. Conclusion In non-dilated cadaveric hearts, the trigones were located at one-quarter of the mitral annulus, so the appropriate length of the posterior annuloplasty band should be adjusted to L (T) ×3.33. (Circ J 2007; 71: 1794 - 1799)
