METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 154 patients who underwent mitral valve repair using various chordal reconstructive procedures from 1992 to 2012. Patients were divided into group A and group B based on use of artificial chords and autologous in situ chords, respectively, for the repair. There were 102 (66.2%) patients in group A and 52 (33.8%) patients in group B. The mean age at repair was 11.1 ± 4.5 years. Associated cardiac anomalies were found in 94 (61%) patients.

RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 4.2 years (Interquartile range: 2.0-9.9). There were two (1.3%) early deaths and five (3.2%) late deaths. There was no significant difference in survival at 15 years between the two groups (group A: 91.8% vs group B: 95.1%; P = .66). There was no significant difference in the freedom from reoperation at 15 years between group A (79.4%) and group B (97.2%; P = .06). However, there was significant difference in freedom from valve failure between group A (56.5%) and group B (74.1%; P = .03). Carpentier functional class III and postoperative residual mitral regurgitation (2+ MR, ie, mild-moderate MR) were the risk factors for valve failure.