I just received an interesting question from Regina about heart valve repair surgery. Her question focuses on the use of annuloplasty rings to treat leaky heart valves.

Regina writes, “Hi Adam – Although I’m 58, I was recently diagnosed with mitral regurgitation. My cardiologist thinks I may need surgery in the next year. The disease is categorized as moderate-to-severe. The cardiologist mentioned the potential use of an annuloplasty ring but did not explain why I might need one. Can you help me better understand the role of an annuloplasty ring? Thanks, Regina”

Annuloplasty Ring Used In Heart Valve Repair

As we have learned together, there are many different valvular disorders which negatively impact the flow of blood through the heart and body. Specific to Regina’s situation, her mitral valve leaflets are not sealing properly. Therefore, blood is flowing backward, also known as regurgitation.

Ultimately, this form of valvular disease forces the heart to work “overtime” which can lead to an enlarged heart and, in a worse case scenario, heart failure.

During some types of mitral valve repair, an annuloplasty ring is used to support the mitral annulus and maintain an appropriate diameter of the heart valve opening.

“Why?” you may be wondering.

Well… It makes sense that if the diameter of the valve opening is larger than the extent to which the valve leaflets close, this can be a serious risk to the patient due to heart valve leakage. The picture above shows an actual, annuloplasty ring implanted during a heart valve repair.

Annuloplasty Ring Sizing Process

As you would imagine, annuloplasty rings – like heart valve replacement devices – come in different sizes to best match the patient’s valve size. Several different companies manufacture annuloplasty rings including Edwards Lifesciences, ATS Medical and Medtronic.

Flexible Annuloplasty Ring (ATS Medical)

I hope this helps Regina (and perhaps you) learn a little more about annuloplasty rings.

Keep on tickin!

I’m currently traveling through Europe for work. Right now, I’m on a train going from Eindhoven to Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Yes, it’s cold. But, not as cold as Helsinki, Finland where it was freeeeeezing.

Luckily, I have a few moments to read personal emails. One of those emails was from Mark Linnus, a 46 year-old patient from New York who was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation. Over the past year, I have corresponded with Mark about his upcoming valve surgery. In particular, much of our exchange focused on surgeon selection.

Well… Mark has good news to report. Here is what he wrote to me:

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From Robyn, myself and, our little one, Ethan… Happy Holidays Everybody!!!

May you have an incredibly healthy and happy holiday season!!!

Keep on tickin!

Some may call David’s story ironic. I call it fantastic. That said, I thought you might find this unique story of interest. Here is what David wrote to me:

Hi Adam,

I just had my calcified aortic bicuspid valve replaced with an Edwards Lifesciences pericardial (bovine) valve on October 28, 2009. I also had a single mammary bypass for a calcified lesion in my LAD coronary artery. I am 69 years old. I think I have a little different perspective on all this as I worked for and retired from Edwards Lifesciences, the world’s largest heart valve manufacturer, after 33 years employment.

David Swendson With Dr. Bethencourt – Discharge Day!

I was a product development engineer starting work at Edwards in 1965 when it was a very small company. I worked on the earlier Starr-Edwards prosthetic heart valves and later, on all sorts of other heart related products.

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Hi everybody,

I wanted to let you know that a series of special announcements are about to be posted. My hope is that each announcement will further enhance the heart valve surgery experience for both patients and caregivers.

In total, I have about 5 pretty exciting announcements to make. This is the “announcement of the announcements”, so it doesn’t count.

You will see these announcements posted over the next 3 weeks, along with my regular blog updates.

Don’t forget… You can subscribe to receive all my blogs in a FREE newsletter by clicking here.

Keep on tickin!