Internal aortic annuloplasty remodeling ring in bicuspid aortic valve repair: different phenotypes

Abstract

We describe our approach, which is based on using an internal bicuspid annuloplasty ring not only to provide annular reduction but also to routinely achieve 180° valve symmetry. The HAART 200 ring has a circular base geometry with 180° subcommissural posts. It is sized according to the intercommissural diameter and keeps that dimension unchanged. The non-fused leaflet serves as a reference, and its free-edge length is measured with a ball sizer that predicts the required ring diameter (D): D =free-edge diameter/1.5 with transannular suturing. The ring brings the sinus-to-sinus dimension centrally to improve leaflet coaptation. More importantly, the ring remodels the fused and nonfused sinuses into equal annular segments, thereby increasing the mobility of the fused segment, facilitating its later plication. In this way, the ring establishes 180° valve geometry.

Keywords: Annuloplasty; Annuloplasty rings and bands; Aortic annuloplasty; Aortic ring; Aortic valve repair; Bicuspid aortic valve.