title: A new ultrasonic process for a renewal of aortic valve decalcification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aortic valve decalcification by ultrasound was given up. We evaluated a new ultrasound microhandpiece (Dissectron Penstyle) to rehabilitate this alternative treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used under magnifying lenses the ultrasound microhandpiece to decalcify 30 explanted aortic valves. In the cases with embedded calcifications the thin top of the probe could be introduced into the thickness of the leaflet preserving covering layers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The leaflets were totally decalcified and flexible, and surrounding structures were preserved as assessed by histological examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new approach of ultrasonic aortic valve decalcification gives good in vitro results which allow to consider a clinical evaluation of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Louis Pradel Cardiologic Hospital, University Hospitals of Lyon, F-69500 Bron, France. stephaneaubert@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Voiglio
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chalabreysse
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farhat
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jegaden
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013010:Sonication / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome