Cor Vasa 2003, 44(7-8):403-405
A new type of mitral valve prosthesis allows to completely preserve the mitral valve apparatus
- 1 Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Suleiman Fakeeh Hospital, Džidda, Království Saudská Arábie
- 2 Klinika kardiochirurgie, Fakultní nemocnice Motol a 2. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Praha, Česká republika
Preservation of the posterior cusp apparatus in mitral valve replacement is an established method improving postoperative left ventricular function. While preservation of the apparatus of both cusps is technically more difficult, recent literary reports suggest it significantly improves postoperative hemodynamics. The authors describe their own modification of the operative technique of mitral valve replacement. Safe implantation of primary chordae into the annulus is possible using a new mitral mechanical bileaflet valve, On-X model (Medical Carbon Research Institute, Austin, Texas, USA). A new supraannular ring configuration makes it possible to use the method not only in regurgitation but, also, in stenosis-related defects. Initial experience in 20 unselected patients indicates that the apparatus of both cusps can be preserved in all cases. In no case did valve blockade by apparatus chordae occur during surgery or follow-up (1-16 months, median 9). Early intraoperative mortality was 5.5%. The postoperative course in the other patients was uneventful. The method is safe and reproducible and could result, in keeping with literary reports, in improved clinical outcome.
Keywords: Mitral valve replacement; Valvular apparatus preservation
Published: July 1, 2003 Show citation