title: Simplified method for reoperation on the mitral valve.
abstract: Reoperation on the mitral valve is becoming more common because of the degeneration of bioprosthetic valves, endocarditis, and malfunction or thrombosis of mechanical valves. We advocate a technique that transforms a technically difficult operation into one that is much less tedious, time-consuming, and dangerous than reopening a sternal-split operative site the second, third, or fourth time. Favorable experience in 11 patients using right anterolateral thoracotomy without aortic or right atrial cannulation and without aortic cross-clamping or cardioplegia is presented.
authors.affiliation: Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York 10595.
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Praeger
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Pooley
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moggio
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Somberg
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sarabu
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve; D012086:Reoperation; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*