With respect to the type of repair , the patients were randomly divided into 4 groups : ( 1 ) De Vega in 52 patients ; ( 2 ) ring annuloplasty in 53 patients ; ( 3 ) De Vega and , if indicated by the preoperative tethering index ( tethering distance > 8 mm or tethering area > 16 mm ( 2 ) ) , pericardial patch augmentation in 53 patients ; and ( 4 ) ring annuloplasty and , if indicated by the preoperative tethering index ( tethering distance > 8 mm or tethering area > 16 mm ( 2 ) ) , pericardial patch augmentation in 52 patients .
