Abstract
Surgical aortic valve replacement is the treatment of choice in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis because it provides excellent early and long-term clinical outcomes in terms of hemodynamics, valve durability, and freedom from valve-related complications. In recent years, the number of high-risk patients being referred for surgical aortic valve replacement has increased. A considerable proportion of these patients are deemed operable despite the high risk. In order to modify the risk predominantly associated with duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp time sutureless aortic valve technology has been developed. Sutureless aortic bioprosthetic valves, introduced in clinical practice in 2009, contrary to the conventional surgical technique for implantation (interrupted or continuous sutures, after thorough annular decalcification) are not hand sewn. This technological modification reduces the implantation time with potential translation into improved outcomes for high-risk patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement. Currently, three sutureless bioprostheses are available and amongst these the largest published experience is available for the patented and CE marked truly sutureless PERCEVAL S valve (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy). This article provides an overview of the published literature for Perceval S valve with an attempt to better define the role of sutureless aortic valve replacement in the treatment of critical aortic valve stenosis.
Keywords: Aortic valve, aortic valve replacement, bioprosthetic valve, sutureless aortic valve, valve replacement.
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