Fig. 5: En face views of a representative porcine mitral valve in the ex vivo experiment.

a The porcine mitral valve in systole mounted to the mitral annular dilation system. Note the lack of proper leaflet coaptation and regurgitant areas. b The same porcine mitral valve in systole after repair using the novel mitral annuloplasty ring. Note the restoration of leaflet coaptation. c The same porcine mitral valve in systole after repair using a rigid mitral annuloplasty ring. Note adequate leaflet coaptation. d The same porcine mitral valve in systole after repair using a flexible mitral annuloplasty ring. Note a small regurgitant area and less leaflet coaptation compared to (b, c). The flexible ring also lost the “D” shape of a native, normal mitral annular geometry.