Early rupture of a tetrafluoroethylene loop due to fixation with polypropylene resulting in recurrent mitral valve regurgitation; a word of caution

This case report describes early rupture of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) loop used in mitral valve repair, likely due to leaflet fixation with 5/0 polypropylene suture. A 52-year-old man developed recurrent mitral valve regurgitation 3 weeks postoperatively. Reoperation revealed rupture at the fixation site. This case suggests that ePTFE may be a more suitable material than polypropylene for leaflet fixation to prevent early loop failure.