Per Wierup1, Morten Smerup1, Jarmo Simpanen2, Marianne Bjerre1, Kalervo Werkkala2.
1Skejby Hospital, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark, 2Meilahti University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implantation feasibility of a key-ring shaped mitral annuloplasty system, which is positioned by sliding and has the potential for a sutureless fixation.
METHODS:
Twelve Danish landrace pigs were used. Six animals underwent mitral repair by the means of a traditional sternotomy approach and six underwent the minimally invasive operation with a peripheral cannulation and surgery through a small left thoracotomy. The Medtentia double-helix annuloplasty system was inserted in all animals. Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imagining and Echocardiography was performed after ten weeks.
RESULTS:
Implantation was feasible in all animals in both the conventional sternotomy group and the minimally invasive group. There were no significant differences between the conventional group and the minimally invasive group in terms of cardiopulmonary bypass times (91+/-11 vs 98+/-12 min, p=NS) and operating times (168+/- 15 vs 199+/-31 min, p=NS). However, the minimally invasive group had significantly shorter recovery-time compared to the conventional group (80+/-16 vs 327+/-23 min, p<0.0001). All animals survived both surgery and the ten weeks follow-up period. All pigs had correctly placed annuloplasty rings and no mitral regurgitation at follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: It is anatomically possible to implant the Medtentia double-helix annuloplasty system, both by a conventional sternotomy approach as well as in the minimally invasive setting, and with excellent valve function after ten weeks. The long-term results of this new concept need to be studied further.
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