A Novel Device for Intraoperative Direct Visualization of a Pressurized Root in Aortic Valve Repair. The Annals of thoracic surgery Zhu, Y., Imbrie-Moore, A. M., Paulsen, M. J., Park, M. H., Tran, N. A., Woo, Y. J. 2022

Abstract

PURPOSE: One major challenge in generating reproducible aortic valve (AV) repair results is the inability to assess AV morphology under physiologic pressure. A transparent intraoperative aortic valve visualization device was designed and manufactured.DESCRIPTION: This device is comprised of an open proximal end, a cantilevered edge to allow attachment of the device to the aorta or graft, a distal viewing surface, and two side ports for fluid delivery and air removal.EVALUATION: The performance of the device was evaluated ex vivo using normal porcine AV in situ (n=3), AV after valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR, n=3), and porcine pulmonary valve in Ross procedure (n=3), and in 3 patients who underwent VSARR. AV morphology was clearly visualized using the device in all experiments. In human, the use of this device successfully illustrated cusp prolapse after the initial VSARR and effectively guided additional cusp repair.CONCLUSIONS: This device successfully allows for direct visual assessment of the AV apparatus under physiologic pressure. The use of this device can potentially increase the adoptability of AV repair in clinical practice.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2022.02.013

View details for PubMedID 35216987