COR-KNOT Versus Manually Hand-tied Knots

The COR-KNOT device was developed to make suture fixation faster and save operative time. With a single squeeze of the lever, the device remotely and automatically secures sutures with a titanium fastener, while also simultaneously trimming excess suture tails. This device has been accepted by cardiac surgeons for the recognized benefits of time savings, simplicity, and reliability.

While the device presents ergonomic advantages during minimally invasive cardiac surgery, it enjoys widespread use in sternotomy-based, standard heart surgery. The relative cost of the device as a function of time saved has not been assessed. The purpose of this trial is to determine the relative time savings and cost of COR-KNOT compared to standard hand-tied knots in patients undergoing mitral/tricuspid ring annuloplasty repairs via traditional open heart surgery. Valve repair surgery is a common setting for COR-KNOT use and therefore serves as an appropriate procedure for evaluation of the technology.

The investigators propose a prospective, randomized trial in patients undergoing mitral or tricuspid ring annuloplasty repair to 1) Determine the time require per knot for COR-KNOT versus standard hand-tied knots and 2) Quantify the relative cost of COR-KNOT versus that of standard, hand-tied knots. Data from this study will enable the investigators to determine the cost-benefit of using COR-KNOT technology in cardiac surgery.