Mitral Valve Repair for Rheumatic Valve Disease in Children: Midterm Results and Impact of the Use of a Biodegradable Mitral Ring

Mitral valve repair in children with rheumatic valve disease has excellent immediate results with low operative risk and satisfactory midterm results and should therefore be the preferred treatment of choice. The use of biodegradable mitral valve ring results in a significant lower mean gradient during the first year of implantation compared with the Carpentier-Edwards ring and is available in a wide range of sizes.