Aortic valve replacement. Apropos of a series of 117 patients
Vanetti, A.; Pasquier, P.; Daumet, P.h.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 70(1): 77-84
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 403884 Document Number: 121318
With a series of 117 aortic valve replacements, the authors have examined the results in relation to the method of protecting the myocardium while the aorta is clamped off. There does not appear to be much difference between coronary perfusion and the technique of profound local hypothermia by the perfusion of a chilled solution into the pericardium. Because of this, the authors remain in favour of the latter technique, which provides effective protection of the myocardium during periods of aortic occlusion sufficient for monovalvular replacements. An occlusion time of up to 90 minutes has been achieved without any major problems. Nevertheless, perfusion of the two coronary arteries is sometimes indicated, notably when profound local hypothermia cannot be employed at revision surgery, feeling of the pericardial cavity being neither possible nor desirable.