PTFE sutures for mitral valve reconstruction--histological findings in man.

A case of mitral valve reconstruction with replacement of the chordae tendineae by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sutures is described in a 52-year-old man. 21 days after operation mitral valve insufficiency due to rupture of a natural chorda led to reoperation with mitral valve replacement. The cardiac valve tissue was examined both macroscopically and microscopically. It showed a proliferation of fibroblasts. However, there was no endothelial cell layer detectable. To the best of our knowledge our case is the first report of the histological changes in human cardiac valvular tissue after implantation of PTFE sutures.