Novel Aortic Replacement Valve Delivered via Sutureless Technique

The replacement valve follows the form and function of a native valve, resulting in minimal stress at the commissures. A single suture line at the annulus, together with tacking of the commissural tabs to the sinotubular junction (STJ), maintains the continuity between the annulus and the STJ without a second suture line at the sinuses, thus preserving sinus form and function. Maintaining the sinuses intact facilitates better vortex formation early in systole and smooth closure of the aortic vale, thereby avoiding the buildup of abnormal stress and turbulent flow in the aortic leaflet.

Because it is tubular, the ATS 3f Aortic bioprosthesis restores physiologic, nonturbulent transprosthetic flow that is indistinguishable from flow across a native aortic valve; an additional benefit is restoration of native valve stress distribution to the entire aortic root. Since there is no bulky stent, minimal tissue is implanted, achieving essentially a 1:1 annulus to orifice ratio and laminar flow, just like a native valve. The valve can be folded into a small diameter to allow placement through a minimally invasive incision; once delivered to the site of the annulus, it is expanded to its preconfigured diameter and is held in place with a resistance fit. The ATS 3f replacement Aortic bioprosthesis is a product of ATS Medical (Minneapolis, MN, USA), and has received the European CE Mark of approval.

"This valve is an important step toward the goal of reducing procedure time and allowing for a more minimally invasive approach to conventional valve surgery,” said Prof. Jerzy Sadowski M.D., Ph.D., of the Jagiellonian University (Krakow, Poland), who performed the first human implant of the Enable valve.

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ATS Medical
Jagiellonian University