Rapid deployment aortic valve replacement via right lateral mini-thoracotomy: First clinical experience in Japan

Abstract

Background: Rapid deployment aortic valve replacement has been developed to shorten procedural times and to facilitate minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery. Methods and Results: As a representative rapid-deployment valve, the balloon-expanding INTUITY Elite (the 2nd-generation Edwards INTUITY Valve System) was uneventfully implanted via a right lateral mini-thoracotomy in 2 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. Both of them recovered quickly and were discharged from hospital without significant adverse events. Conclusions: Implantation of the INTUITY Elite valve via right mini-thoracotomy is feasible and safe.