Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement: First-Year Single-Center Experience

Background. Sutureless aortic bioprostheses bear the potential of easy implantation, reduced ischemic time, and surgical trauma in aortic valve replacement. We herein show our clinical and echocardiographic results after a 1-year experience with a new sutureless bioprosthesis. Methods. The Perceval S (Sorin Biomedica Cardio Srl, Saluggia, Italy) is a pericardial aortic prosthesis assembled within a super-elastic alloy frame. It is implanted intra-annularly, without the need of suture. As part of a premarketing multicenter study (Cavalier Trial), since March 2010, 83 patients were screened for implantation in our center. Results. The patients received a size S (4), M (38), or L (41) prosthesis, either as isolated (57) or combined procedures (26). Fifty-one patients (61.5%) received a "J" sternotomy. Mean logistic European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation was 10. +/- 7.5%, mean aortic cross-clamp time was 43.8 +/- 20.8 minutes (36 +/- 12.7 minutes for isolated procedures). Mean implantation time was 8 +/- 3.8 minutes (range 4 to 28 minutes). In-hospital mortality was 2.4% (1 patient for multiorgan failure and 1 for liver insufficiency); mean hospital stay was 11.5 +/- 4.4 days (range 2 to 28 days). We recorded 5 pacemaker implantations (6%). At follow-up, we had 2 deaths (1 patient for congestive heart failure and 1 for gastrointestinal bleeding). At 1 year, mean New York Heart Association functional class was 1.0 +/- 0.6. Mean transprosthetic gradients were 13.4 +/- 2.8, 12.6 +/- 2.3, and 10.8 +/- 1.3 mm Hg postoperatively, at 6 months, and at 1 year, respectively. Conclusions. The Perceval S shows satisfactory clinical and hemodynamic results. Due to its simple implantation technique, it represents an alternative especially for minimally invasive surgery. Operative trauma can be minimized by short aortic cross-clamp time. (Ann Thorac Surg 2012;94:504-9) (c) 2012 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons