Use of pledgeted sutures in mitral annuloplasty.

Annuloplasty ring or band dehiscence is a possible complication of mitral valve repair surgery. It may be due to increased tension on the annuloplasty sutures, especially in ischemic mitral pathology in which a circumferential ring is used. Herein, we describe a technique for alternative suture placement in mitral annuloplasty using pledgeted sutures that may reduce the risk for ring or band dehiscence.