Myxomatous Mitral Valve Chordae. I: Mechanical Properties
J. E. Barber BS, Norman B. Ratliff MD, Delos M. Cosgrove, III MD, Brian P. Griffin MD, Ivan Vesely PhD

Chordal rupture is the most common reason for severe mitral regurgitation requiring surgery. Little is known of the mechanical properties of myxomatous chordae that predispose them to rupture. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed on chordae from normal and myxomatous mitral valves, measuring their cross-sectional area, volume, and weight. In almost all measures, myxoid chordae were significantly different from normal chordae. Most notably, myxoid chordae were twice as thick, yet failed at half the load of normal chordae.