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Aortic valve translocation for severe prosthetic valve endocarditis: early results and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of ventriculo-aortic disconnection and aortic root abscesses after prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis carries high mortality and morbidity. Initial experience with translocation of the aortic valve and distal coronary artery bypass grafting was disappointing in terms of short-term and long-term success in the few published reports. We describe a technique of translocation of the aortic valve into the ascending aorta with direct antegrade myocardial revascularization. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1992, we included 21 patients and evaluated their long-term outcome. The surgical technique included extracting the aortic valve prosthesis, resecting all infected tissue, restoring the left ventricular outflow tract, and translocating the aortic valve into the ascending aorta, associated with myocardial revascularization of the left main trunk and the proximal right coronary artery. RESULTS: All patients required emergency surgery: 15 patients were in severe congestive heart failure, 3 patients were in cardiogenic shock, and 3 patients had multiple neurologic and peripheral signs of distal embolization. Fifteen patients had active prosthetic valve endocarditis. Intraoperative findings dictated the translocation. The overall hospital mortality was 14%. None of the 18 hospital survivors had prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis recurrence. All patients were observed from 12 to 22 years, are alive, and have resumed normal activities. CONCLUSIONS: In severe forms of prosthetic valve endocarditis, this technique provides a safe and reliable alternative to homograft replacement. The long-term results are satisfactory.

Adolescent↗

Outcome of aortic valve repair in children with congenital aortic valve insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical aortic valvotomy has a long history of providing excellent palliation for aortic stenosis in infancy and childhood. The fate of aortic valve repairs for dominant aortic regurgitation in this same age group is considerably less clear. METHODS: From 1990 to 2000, a total of 21 patients underwent aortic valve repair for aortic regurgitation at our institution. Seventeen patients were younger than 17 years at the time of repair (3-17 years, mean 8.1 +/- 3.7 years). Of these 17 children, 6 (35%) had bicuspid valves and 11 (65%) had tricuspid valves. Type of repair varied with valve type, but repair generally consisted of commissure resuspension, partial commissure closure, triangular resection of redundant leaflets, or some combination. RESULTS: There were no deaths. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 11 years (mean 5.3 +/- 2.4 years). At present 3 of 17 (17.6%) have mild aortic regurgitation according to echocardiography and 6 (35.2%) have moderate aortic regurgitation. In 8 of 17 cases (47.1%) the repair clearly failed, requiring reoperation from 0.5 to 73 months after the original operation (mean 18.9 months). Reoperation consisted of 6 Ross procedures and 2 mechanical aortic valve replacements. There were no deaths at the secondary operation. CONCLUSION: Aortic valve repair in children with a dominant feature of aortic insufficiency tended to fail progressively and at a high rate. Leaflet thickening was associated with higher risk of repair failure in this series. The threshold for aortic valve replacement should remain low.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of aortic valve prolapse with bicuspid aortic valve and its relation to aortic regurgitation: a cross-sectional echocardiographic study.

Although aortic valve prolapse (AVP) has been suggested as a cause of aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valves, neither the frequency of AVP nor its relation to AR in this setting has been defined. To assess these relations, 64 patients with bicuspid aortic valves diagnosed by 2-dimensional echocardiography and 20 normal subjects, similarly distributed according to age and sex, were studied. The presence and degree of AVP were defined using 3 quantitative terms: aortic valve prolapse distance (AVPD), area (AVPA) and volume (AVPV). Each was corrected (c) for patient size with reference to the diameter of the aorta at the level of insertion of the valve cusps. In normal subjects, the AVPDc averaged 0.09 +/- 0.06 (range 0 to 0.16) and the AVPAc averaged 0.08 +/- 0.06 cm (range 0 to 0.15). In patients with bicuspid aortic valves, the AVPDc averaged 0.26 +/- 0.10 (range 0.11 to 0.59, p = 0.00005 vs normal subjects), whereas the AVPAc averaged 0.35 +/- 0.17 cm (range 0.05 to 0.90, p = 0.00005 vs normal subjects). When the AVPDc criteria were used, 81% of the bicuspid valves were abnormal; when the AVPAc criteria were used, 87% were abnormal. The degree of prolapse defined by the AVPVc, which considers both cusp area and degree of apical displacement, was significantly greater for patients with bicuspid aortic valve with clinical AR than for those without (p = 0.008). However, because of the overlap between groups, there was no point at which this measure uniquely separated patients with and without AR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Stentless aortic valves as an alternative to homografts for valve replacement in active infective endocarditis complicated by ring abscess.

BACKGROUND: The valve substitute of choice in active infective aortic valve endocarditis complicated by annulus abscess in our institution is the cryopreserved homograft. To avoid implantation of any prosthetic material, the Shelhigh No-React stentless valves and conduits may be considered an alternative when no suitable homograft is available. METHODS: Between March 1986 and January 2001, 452 homografts were implanted in the aortic position. From January 2000 to August 2001, 75 Shelhigh No-React prostheses were implanted at our institution. In 25 consecutive patients (study group) with aortic annulus abscess, urgent aortic valve replacement with the Shelhigh SuperStentless and Stentless Aortic Valve Conduit was undertaken. Patients (16 male, 9 female; age, 49 +/- 19 years) were studied with follow-up until March 2002. The control group comprised 68 consecutive historical patients (46 male, 22 female; age, 53 +/- 14.4 years) with similar disease treated between January 1997 and December 1999 in whom an aortic homograft was implanted. This group was also followed up until March 2002. Demographic data and preoperative characteristics of the patients were without significant differences. Patients were studied by echocardiography. RESULTS: Sixty-day mortality was 16% (11 patients) in the control group compared with 12% (3 patients) in the study group. Recurrent infection occurred in 4% in both groups. The instantaneous and mean Doppler gradients yielded no significant differences (19.4 +/- 10.4 mm Hg and 11.8 +/- 5.7 mm Hg versus 18.2 +/- 8.7 mm Hg and 10.9 +/- 5.3 mm Hg, respectively). The mean effective orifice area calculated from Doppler flow velocity for the stentless valve was 2.3 +/- 0.6 cm2. Preoperative evaluation of left ventricular dimensions and global left ventricular systolic function did not vary significantly between the two groups. However, postoperatively evaluated left ventricular end-diastolic diameter dimensions in the study group were significantly smaller than those in the control group (47.6 +/- 7.9 mm versus 56 +/- 9.5 mm; p = 0.05). Ejection fraction was similar in both groups (56.2% +/- 12.8% for the study [Shelhigh] and 52.6% +/- 16.8% for the control [homograft] group). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with both the Shelhigh No-React SuperStentless and Stentless Aortic Valve Conduit in patients with native or prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis appears to demonstrate good results, similar to those of cryopreserved homografts. Ease of implantation and favorable effective orifice area and pressure gradients, as well as the No-React anticalcification treatment, are promising factors.

Abscess↗

Porcine cardiac xenograft valves: analysis of survival, valve failure, and explantation.

Porcine cardiac xenografts were used for cardiac valve replacement in 1,093 patients. Hospital mortality for aortic valve replacement (AVR) was 3.7%; for mitral valve replacement (MVR), 7.8%; and for AVR + MVR, 4.7%. Total follow-up was 2,036 patient-years; maximum, 7.3 years; and mean, 1.89 years. Actuarial survival (+/- standard error of the mean) for AVR was 84% +/- 2% at 56 months; for MVR, 84% +/- 3% at 56 months; and for AVR + MVR, 86% +/- 4% at 30 months. Nonfatal thromboembolism occurred in 8 of 1,030 patients (0.78%). Anticoagulation was not routinely employed. Fifty hospital survivors (4.8%) experienced valve dysfunction; 18 of the survivors (1.7%) died; and 32 of the survivors (3.1%) underwent reoperation. The rate of dysfunction increased slowly until the sixth year when an increased rate was observed (p less than 0.0001). Patients less than 34 years old had a higher incidence of dysfunction (p less than 0.01). Thirty-two hospital survivors (3.1%) underwent explantation of the porcine valve for late dysfunction. Valve dysfunction secondary to endocarditis and paravalvular leak occurred early, while leaflet deterioration or thrombosis was more gradual in onset and was noted later. The porcine valve has functioned well for 1 to 7 years with a low incidence of valve related morbidity and mortality without routine anticoagulation in patients older than 34 years of age.

Aortic Valve↗

Underestimation of prosthetic mitral valve areas: role of transseptal catheterization in avoiding unnecessary repeat mitral valve surgery.

In patients with symptoms of heart failure after mitral valve replacement, identification of a stenosed prosthesis may be difficult. Twelve such patients were evaluated, presenting at a mean of 8.4 years after mitral valve replacement (four mechanical, eight porcine). Transvalvular pressure gradients were obtained using both indirect (pulmonary capillary wedge) and direct (transseptal catheterization) measurements of left atrial pressure. In all 12 patients, the diastolic gradient across the prosthetic valve was overestimated when pulmonary wedge rather than transseptal measurements were used. Calculated mitral valve prosthetic area was underestimated by the pulmonary wedge determinations. These findings may be caused by either the phase delay of the pulmonary wedge V wave relative to the transseptal V wave, resulting in a higher diastolic mean left atrial pressure, or the faulty wedge determinations in the setting of pulmonary hypertension, or both. In patients being considered for repeat mitral valve replacement because of prosthetic valve stenosis, transseptal catheterization allows for more accurate determination of prosthetic valve area and more accurately defines the need for repeat mitral valve surgery.

Aged↗

Simultaneous determination of aortic valve area by the Gorlin formula and by transesophageal echocardiography under different transvalvular flow conditions. Evidence that anatomic aortic valve area does not change with variations in flow in aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of changes in flow on aortic valve area (AVA) as measured by the Gorlin formula and transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) planimetry. BACKGROUND: The meaning of flow-related changes in AVA calculations using the Gorlin formula in patients with aortic stenosis remains controversial. It has been suggested that flow dependence of the calculated area could be due to a true widening of the orifice as flow increases or to a disproportionate flow dependence of the formula itself. Alternatively, anatomic AVA can be measured by direct planimetry of the valve orifice with TEE. METHODS: Simultaneous measurement of the planimetered and Gorlin valve area was performed intraoperatively under different hemodynamic conditions in 11 patients. Left ventricular and ascending aortic pressures were measured simultaneously after transventricular and aortic punctures. Changes in flow were induced by dobutamine infusion. Using multiplane TEE, AVA was planimetered at the level of the leaflet tips in the short-axis view. RESULTS: Overall, cardiac output, stroke volume and transvalvular volume flow rate ranged from 2.5 to 7.3 liters/min, from 43 to 86 ml and from 102 to 306 ml/min, respectively. During dobutamine infusion, cardiac-output increased by 42% and mean aortic valve gradient by 54%. When minimal flow was compared with maximal flow, the Gorlin area varied from (mean +/- SD) 0.44 +/- 0.12 to 0.60 +/- 0.14 cm2 (p < 0.005). The mean change in Gorlin area under different flow rates was 36 +/- 32%. Despite these changes, there was no significant change in the planimetered area when minimal flow was compared with maximal flow. The mean difference in planimetered area under different flow rates was 0.002 +/- 0.01 cm2 (p = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: By simultaneous determination of Gorlin formula and TEE planimetry valve areas, we showed that acute changes in transvalvular volume flow substantially altered valve area calculated by the Gorlin formula but did not result in significant alterations of the anatomic valve area in aortic stenosis. These results suggest that the flow-related variation in the Gorlin AVA is due to a disproportionate flow dependence of the formula itself and not a true change in valve area.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Pulmonary valve annulus grows after balloon dilatation of neonatal critical pulmonary valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Neonates with critical pulmonary valve stenosis often demonstrate small or hypoplastic right ventricular structures. Relief of the obstruction enhances forward flow across the right ventricle and reduces its pressure load. Growth of the right ventricle and especially of the pulmonary valve annulus was evaluated after balloon dilatation. METHODS: Ten consecutive neonates with critical pulmonary valve stenosis who underwent balloon valvuloplasty were studied by serial echocardiography to assess growth of right ventricular structures at follow-up. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the pulmonary valve annulus increased from 6.1 +/- 1.4 mm to 12.6 +/- 3.5 mm (z scores from -2.9 +/- 1.0 SD to - 1.3 +/- 1.2 SD, p < 0.0001) after a mean follow-up period of 2.7 +/- 2.0 years. The mean diameter of the tricuspid valve annulus increased from 12.9 +/- 3.8 mm to 19.0 +/- 3.1 mm; however, the respective z score did not change significantly (from 0.5 +/- 2.4 SD to -0.5 +/- 1.0 SD). Right ventricular cavity size was hypoplastic in four patients initially and normal in all patients at latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dilatation of critical pulmonary valve stenosis encourages catch-up growth of the pulmonary valve, and surgery may be avoided even in a hypoplastic pulmonary valve annulus.

Catheterization↗

Prediction of late results following valve replacement in aortic valve stenosis. Seventeen years of follow-up examined with the Cox regression analysis.

A total of 122 patients (mean age: 55 years, range 20-75 years) were alive 30 days after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) performed in 1965-73 for aortic valve stenosis (AS). Cold chemical Bretschneider cardioplegia was used in all operations. The maximum follow-up was 17 years, mean 9 years. The 10-year cumulative survival +/- SE was 63 +/- 4%. Twenty-one preoperative clinical, invasive and valve-related variables were entered into a Cox regression analysis. Variables with independent predictive value regarding long-term survival were: Left ventricular failure (regression coefficient: b = 1.078, p less than 0.0002), age (b = 0.749, p less than 0.009), pulse pressure (b = -0.663, p less than 0.02) and cardio-thoracic index (CTI) (b = 0.603, p less than 0.04). Based on these variables, a prognostic index with 16 different risk groups was made. In the "best" group (n = 8), the observed 10-year survival +/- SE was 88 +/- 11%, compared to 13 +/- 12% for the "worst" group (n = 8). Multivariate analysis of complication-free survival showed that the total valve-related complication-rate (VRC) (4.2/100 pat.-yrs) was influenced by valve type (Starr-Edwards ball valves, n = 118, versus Lillehei-Kaster and Smeelof-Cutter valves, n = 4) and CTI. The valve- and heart-related events (VRC together with late myocardial infarctions and pacemaker implantations, 6.5/100 pat.-yrs) depended on CTI and previous myocardial infarction. No predictors of thromboembolism (1.6/100 pat.-yrs) or coumarin-related hemorrhage (1.8/100 pat.-yrs) could be identified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Comparison of survival after mitral valve replacement with biologic and mechanical valves in 1139 patients.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare 10-year survival in patients after mitral valve replacement with biologic or mechanical valve prostheses. METHODS: Retrospective survival analysis was performed on data from 1139 consecutive patients older than 18 years of age undergoing mitral valve replacement with Carpentier-Edwards (n = 495; Baxter Healthcare Corp, Irvine, Calif) or St Jude Medical (n = 644; St Jude Medical, Inc, St Paul, Minn) prostheses. RESULTS: The 10-year survival was not statistically different between the patients receiving Carpentier-Edwards valves and those receiving St Jude Medical valves (P =.16). Adjusted survival estimates at 2, 5, and 10 years were 82% +/- 2% (95% confidence intervals, 79%-85%), 69% +/- 2% (95% confidence intervals, 64%-73%), and 42% +/- 3% (95% confidence intervals, 37%-48%), respectively, for the Carpentier-Edwards group and 83% +/- 2% (95% confidence intervals, 80%-86%), 72% +/- 2% (95% confidence intervals, 69%-76%), and 51% +/- 3% (95% confidence intervals, 45%-58%), respectively, for the St Jude Medical group. Predictors of worse survival after mitral valve replacement are older age, lower ejection fraction, presence of class IV congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, renal disease, smoking history, hypertension, concurrent other valve surgery, and redo heart surgery. CONCLUSION: Choice of biologic or mechanical prosthesis does not significantly affect long-term patient survival after mitral valve replacement.

Age Factors↗

Doppler haemodynamic assessment of clinically and echocardiographically normal mitral and aortic Allcarbon valve prostheses. Valve Prostheses Ligurian Cooperative Doppler Study.

Doppler echocardiographic characteristics of normally functioning Allcarbon prostheses were studied in 149 consecutive patients with 157 valves in the mitral (n = 73) and aortic (n = 84) positions whose function was considered normal by clinical and echocardiographic evaluation. In the mitral position, the mean gradient and the effective mitral orifice area were not significantly different in either the 25-mm or the 31-mm size valves (from 5 +/- 1 to 4 +/- 1 mmHg and from 2.2 +/- 0.6 to 2.8 +/- 0.9 cm2, respectively; P = ns for both). Conversely, peak gradient was significantly and inversely correlated to actual orifice area (r = -0.70; P < 0.0006), decreasing from 15 +/- 3 mmHg in the 25-mm size valve to 9 +/- 1 mmHg in the 31-mm size. In the aortic position, the mean gradient was 29 +/- 8 mmHg in the 19-mm size valve; it decreased to 8 +/- 2 mmHg in the 29-mm size. Effective prosthetic aortic valve area, calculated using the continuity equation, ranged between 0.9 +/- 0.1 cm2 for the 19-mm size valve to 4.1 +/- 0.7 cm2 for the 29-mm size. By analysis of variance, effective prosthetic aortic valve area differentiated various valve sizes (F = 25.3; P < 0.0001) better than peak (F = 5.34; P = 0.012) or mean (F = 4.34; P = 0.0052) gradients alone, and it correlated better with actual orifice area (r = 0.89, r = -0.70 and r = -0.65, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Transluminal implantation of artificial heart valves. Description of a new expandable aortic valve and initial results with implantation by catheter technique in closed chest pigs.

A new artificial aortic valve prosthesis was developed for implantation by the transluminal catheter technique without thoracotomy or extracorporal circulation. The new heart valve was prepared by mounting a porcine aortic valve into an expandable stent. Before implantation, the stent-valve was mounted on a balloon catheter and compressed around the deflated balloon. The stent-valve mounted balloon catheter was then advanced retrogradely to the ascending aorta or the aortic root in anaesthetized pigs. Implantation was performed by balloon inflation which expanded the stent-valve to a diameter exceeding the internal diameter of the vessel--thus ensuring a stable fixation against the vessel wall. A total of nine implantations were performed in seven 70 kg closed chest pigs. Sub- and supracoronary implantation was performed in two and three pigs, respectively, while implantation in both positions was done in two. Angiographic and haemodynamic evaluation after implantation revealed no significant stenosis (less than or equal to 16 mmHg) in any of the nine valves and trivial regurgitation in only two. Complications were associated with restriction of the coronary blood flow in three animals. This preliminary study indicates that artificial aortic valves can be implanted in closed chest animals by transluminal catheter technique.

Animals↗

Aortic valve replacement for aortic insufficiency: valve type as a determinant of systolic strain recovery.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Left ventricular (LV) 3D systolic strain decreases in absolute value postoperatively and does not recover in patients who undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) for chronic aortic insufficiency (AI). We investigated whether choice of valve prosthesis (mechanical [St. Jude], bioprosthetic [bovine pericardial], Ross procedure) had a significant impact on strain recovery in this surgical population. METHODS: MRI with tissue-tagging was performed on 14 patients with chronic AI both before and 28 +/- 13 months after AVR. Average values of LV systolic strain and end-systolic stress (ESS) were computed from MRI data for the LV. Three types of prosthetic valve were examined (Ross procedure n = 4, bovine pericardial n = 5, and St. Jude n = 5). RESULTS: Overall, systolic strain, ESS, LV volumes, ejection fraction, and LV mass all changed significantly following AVR. Comparisons between individual valve types revealed no differences in any of these measurements. Patients who received a mechanical valve had a greater decrease in the absolute value of systolic strain following surgery compared to patients from the nonmechanical group (Ross procedure and bioprosthetic valve). Comparisons between the Ross group and the prosthetic group (St. Jude and bioprosthetic) produced no significant differences in strain, ESS, LV volume, and mass. CONCLUSIONS: These early results suggest that valve prosthetic type may be a factor in efforts to improve strain recovery after AVR for AI, although further investigation is warranted. MRI with tissue-tagging may be a useful tool for comparing the impact of prosthetic valve choice on incompletely recovered systolic strain following AVR for chronic AI.

Adult↗

Abnormal aortic valve echoes in mitral prolapse. Echocardiographic features of floppy aortic valve.

The following distinctive combination of M-mode and two dimensional echocardiographic abnormalities of the aortic valve was observed in a group of 12 patients, of whom 11 had mitral valve prolapse. On two dimensional scans, the aortic cusps were freely mobile but appeared thickened or folded. On M-mode records, cusp excursion was normal: there was well defined systolic oscillation, and cusp echoes were multiple and centrally positioned within the aortic root during diastole. The aortic valve was inspected at operation in two patients: a typically myxomatous valve was replaced in one and findings were in keeping with this diagnosis in the other. It is suggested that the echocardiographic features described are characteristic of the floppy aortic valve. Despite the echocardiographic abnormalities, only three patients had clinical evidence of an aortic valve lesion. It is, therefore, further suggested that the investigation of patients with mitral prolapse should include echocardiographic assessment of the aortic valve, even when associated myxomatous degeneration of that valve is not suspected clinically.

Adolescent↗

Systolic closure of aortic valve in patients with prosthetic mitral valves.

Systolic closure of the aortic valve was found in 10 of 36 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement. Eight patients had early systolic closure, and two had mid-systolic closure. The left ventricular outflow tract dimension on M-mode and two dimensional echocardiograms, left ventricular posterior wall and septal thickness, left ventricular dimensions in systole and diastole, aortic valve opening, and mitral to aortic valve distance were not significantly different between patients with and without systolic closure of the aortic valve. Two of the 10 patients with systolic aortic valve closure were catheterised and in neither was there a gradient between the left ventricle and the aorta. The two patients with mid-systolic closure, however, were the patients who had the narrowest left ventricular outflow tract which could cause significant distortion of blood flow. Systolic closure of the aortic valve in patients with mitral valve replacement is probably not caused by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, though abnormalities in laminar flow from the left ventricular outflow tract may be involved.

Adolescent↗

Six year review of the results of freehand aortic valve replacement using an antibiotic sterilized homograft valve.

The long-term behavior of an antibiotic-treated homograft aortic valve inserted in a freehand fashion was assessed in 121 patients operated upon for aortic valve disease and followed from four to six and one-half years. There were seven hospital deaths (5.7%) and 30 late deaths, only one of which was related to the homograft valve. The six year survival was 69% (77% for single valve and 52% for multiple valve surgery). At six years 9% had important homograft aortic valve incompetence (HAVI) and most of these required reoperation. Important HAVI occurred in only 5% of patients with an aortic root diameter less than 24 mm and in 38% of those with a markedly dilated or distorted proximal aorta (P less than 0.01). The freehand aortic homograft was considered superior to prosthetic devices because of the absence of chronic anticoagulation, thromboembolism, sudden death from valve failure and significant obstruction in a small aortic root. With slightly restricted patient selection the valve failure rate is expected to fall to less than 1% per year.

Adolescent↗

[Aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma in a patient with mitral valve regurgitation].

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare cardiac tumour. We describe a patient with mitral valve regurgitation and aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma. The patient was 62-year-old woman. She was referred to us for surgical treatment of mitral valve. Preoperative echocardiography showed rheumatic mitral valve regurgitation (Sellers grade III) and it also demonstrated mobile masses of the aortic valve. At operation, mitral valve was repaired by a posterior annuloplasty. Through the aortotomy, small tumors were found to be attached to each cusps of the aortic valve and they were successfully removed. The histopathologic diagnosis was papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Aortic Valve↗

Stentless mitral valve replacement using the quattro valve.

This study analyzed early clinical results after stentless mitral valve (Quadrileaflet Mitral Valve (QMV)/Quattro) implantation. A total of 28 patients have received a Quattro valve since August 1997. Patient age was 69+/-8 years; the underlying disease was mitral incompetence (14) and stenosis (13). Preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was 3.2+/-0.4 and cardiac index was 1.8+/-0.6. Mean cross-clamp duration was 58+/-19 minutes. Twenty patients received a 28-mm prosthesis, and eight patients received a 30-mm prosthesis. Four patients had myocardial revascularization, two had tricuspid valve repair, and six had radiofrequency ablation therapy to restore sinus rhythm. Mortality (1) was nonvalve related. Reoperation was necessary in two patients for posterior paravalvular leakage (1) and for functional stenosis (1). Echocardiography showed satisfactory hemodynamic function. By stentless mitral valve implantation the annuloventricular continuity is preserved to stabilize left ventricular function. The Quattro valve resembles native mitral valve function and is well suited for mitral valve replacement.

Aged↗