title: NextStitch: double-stranded suture chain, a tool to optimize approximation of sutures in valve surgery with echocardiographic correlation.
abstract: Suture technique for valve replacement surgery has often focused on decreasing the soft tissue injury that leads to pseudoaneurysm formation and associated latent infection. There is universal recognition that precise suture placement is essential for avoiding adverse sequelae while allowing flexibility during the implantation of the prosthesis. The use of a continuous chain of linked horizontal mattress sutures (NextStitch) has allowed maximal precision in the approximation of sutures within the valve annulus. The product was used in a series of consecutive mitral and aortic valve replacements, and typical echocardiographic images from each type of implantation are presented. Postoperative echocardiography images revealed that no perivalvular leaks occurred and that NextStitch did not obscure detailed interrogation or assessment of the valve prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Luther Midelfort, Mayo Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wiechmann
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stange
authors.forename: Gilbert H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Regis I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rozich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects