ABSTRACT 104

A NEW ANNULOPLASTY SYSTEM FOR ENDOSCOPIC/ROBOTIC APPLICATION

William Northrup III, Cardiac Surgical Associates, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Purpose:  A unique annuloplasty system is described, applicable to endoscopic/robotic mitral valve repair.

Material and Methods: This annuloplasty ring, with overall flexibility, consists of separate, rigid suture-platforms, enclosed in a flexible polyester tube.  The suture-platforms prevent plication of the ring and ensure firm apposition of the ring to the tissue annulus and knot security.  The ring is affixed to an easily detachable semi-flexible sizer/delivery system for sizing the perimeter of the anterior mitral leaflet.

Results:  This annuloplasty ring, of only one size, is simple to use, employing one suture in the tissue annulus per rigid suture-platform per centimeter of ring.  The ring can be cut to any specified length and is customizable for any size or shape mitral valve, any pathology and for any length of ring, partial or complete. A precise plication of the tissue annulus is possible in every case.

Conclusions:  This unique annuloplasty system can be straightened for a single-pass introduction through a small endoscope and reconfigured in the thorax without the need to modify the ring or the sizer or make a counter-incision.