Flexibility of the Mitral Annulus with the Duran Ring at Six Years Post-implantation
Yukikatsu Okada MD, Michihiro Nasu MD, Junichi Kawai RDCS, Yumiko Kanzaki MD

The shape and flexibility of the mitral annulus with a Duran flexible ring were analyzed in 11 patients undergoing mitral valve repair 6.0 ± 2.4 years after surgery, using transesophageal echocardiography. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the mitral annulus with a Duran ring showed a non-planar shape; in addition, the ring changed its shape significantly during the cardiac cycle. It is concluded that the mitral annulus with a Duran flexible ring remains flexible and retains its non-planar configuration at medium-term (four to six years) follow up.