Continuous Suture Technique for Aortic Valve Replacement Shortens Cross-Clamp and Bypass Times

The interrupted noneverting mattress suture technique is typically used in conventional surgical aortic valve replacement. The continuous suture technique, although faster, has been associated with a higher incidence of paravalvular leak. Using a slightly modified technique to minimize this risk, we investigated whether continuous suturing would shorten aortic cross-clamp time in aortic valve replacement in comparison with interrupted suturing. We reviewed the cases and compared the perioperative data of 60 consecutive patients in Japan and Australia (35 men and 25 women; median age, 70 yr) who had undergone aortic valve replacement with or without septal myectomy. The continuous suture technique had been used in 41 patients (Group CS) and the standard interrupted suture technique in 19 (Group IS). The groups were similar in age, sex, pathologic valvular conditions, and operative urgency. In Group CS, aortic cross-clamp time (47 vs 63 min; P= 0.0001) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (76 vs 89 min; P= 0.04) were significantly shorter. Neither group had early paravalvular leak. Using our continuous suture technique safely shortened aortic cross-clamp time during surgical aortic valve replacement.