Impact of implantation technique on hemodynamic results of the Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve.
BACKGROUND
The Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve has shown excellent hemodynamic results in the midterm course. However, there is no information as to whether a continuous or interrupted suture technique at the inflow site has an impact on postoperative hemodynamics.


METHODS
139 patients were enrolled in a non-randomized, prospective matched trial. An interrupted suture line technique was used in 68 patients and a continuous suture line technique was used in 71 at the inflow site. Isolated valve replacement was performed in 70.4% of the continuous and 67.6% of the interrupted suture group. Pre- and postoperative hemodynamics and one-year follow-up were obtained by echocardiography and expressed as mean and peak gradients and grade of regurgitation.


RESULTS
No significant difference between continuous and interrupted suture techniques were noted with respect to mean (11.8 +/- 6.3 vs. 12.5 +/- 6.2 mm Hg, p = 0.251) and peak gradients (21.0 +/- 9.6 vs. 22.0 +/- 10.9 mm Hg, p = 0.292) as well as to the degree of regurgitation. Bypass and cross-clamping times decreased by 22.4 and 20.6 minutes, respectively, with the use of the continuous suture technique. One year follow-up showed a further, significant decrease of mean and peak gradients.


CONCLUSIONS
The Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve appears to offer excellent postoperative performance. The suture line technique at the inflow site does not result in any hemodynamic differences.
Beholz
S
S
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. sven.beholz@charite.de
Grubitzsch
H
H
Dushe
S
S
Liu
J
J
Dohmen
P M
PM
Konertz
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome