Aortic valve replacement in ministernotomy access. Initial experience.

The authors report their initially surgical experience on minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR). From August 1997 to April 1998, 18 patients (15 males and 3 females of mean age 66.2 +o- 2 years) underwent AVR in ministernotomy. By this approach 2 biological stentless Toronto and 16 mechanical valves were implanted. Aortic clamping and extracorporeal circulation times were not significantly higher than those obtained with conventional operations. Only one patient died for dissection of ascending aorta and another one was reoperated on for bleeding. Early results for minimally invasive AVR approach show improved patient mobility and return to full-time activity and decreased cost and reliance on postoperative rehabilitation.