Thoracoscopic mitral and aortic valves replacement: Animal experiments and clinical application / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the feasibility of aortic and mitral valves replacement under video-assisted thoracoscope.Methods The subjects included 16 dogs(Experimental Group) and a clinical volunteer(Clinical Group).The procedure was performed under extracorporeal circulation with femoral artery and vein intubation.An incision 4~5 cm in length and two 1.5 cm ports were made in the right chest wall.The superior and inferior vena cava were cross-clamped by a self-made clamp and the myocardium was protected by cold cardioplegic coronary perfusion.Artificial mechanical aortic and mitral valves were intermittently sutured.Results In the Experimental Group the time of extracorporeal circulation was 104~196 min(143.2?46.5 min) and the ascending aorta cross-clamped time was 58~128 min(82.4?26.1 min).Autopsy findings showed satisfactory valve suture fixation,without thread loosing or paravalvular rupture.In the Clinical Group the time of extracorporeal circulation was 157 min,the ascending aorta cross-clamped time was 112 min,the time of mechanical ventilation was 10 h,and the drainage volume,150 ml.The patient was discharged from hospital on the 10 postoperative day.Follow-up observations for 9 months found no paravalvular leakage or other complications.Echocardiography showed normal prosthetic valve movement.Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic aortic and mitral valves replacement is technically feasible.