The artificial disc is a mobile implant for degenerative disc replacement that attempts to lessen the degeneration of the adjacent elements. However, inconsistent biomechanical results for the neighboring elements have been reported in a number of studies. The present study used finite element (FE) analysis to explore the biomechanical differences at the surgical and both adjacent levels follow...

Objective: Annuloplasty rings are used to treat ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), but their exact effects on 3-D geometry of the overall mitral valve complex during acute left ventricular (LV) ischemia remain unknown. Methods: Radiopaque markers were sutured to the mitral leaflet edges, annulus, papillary muscle tips, and ventricle in three groups of sheep. One group served as control (n 1⁄4...

OBJECTIVES Precise measurements of aortic annulus dimensions are crucial for prosthesis size selection in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The so-called effective diameter (derived from area) measured in multislice computed tomography (MSCT) images has evolved to be the most precise measurement tool. Usually, the operator must manually adjust the aortic annula...

The Ross procedure is an alternative technique to mechanical prosthesis and recent evidence suggests that it is associated with improved long-term survival and quality of life. However, late pulmonary autograft failure can occur more frequently in patients with significant dilation of the aortic annulus. Here, we present a technical modification of the Ross procedure--a case report of a patient...

Mitral valve replacement in the presence of extensive calcification of the mitral annulus is a technical challenge. Dense calcification of the annulus can cause a great difficulty in the insertion of a prosthetic valve and later periprosthetic leakage. A radical calcium debridement may cause left circumflex coronary artery injury, atrioventricular rupture, and thromboembolic events. We report a...

Background—Mitral annulus is a complex structure of poorly understood physiology. Full-volume real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography offers a unique opportunity to completely image and quantify mitral annulus size and motion. Methods and Results—Real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography of the mitral valve was acquired in 32 patients with myxomatous valve diseas...

7. Clinical bottom line TV insufficiency should be treated during left-sided valve surgery when TR annulus is dilated (G21 mmym ;)70 mm 2 intra-operatively; G3.5 cm at trans-thoracic echocardio-graphy (TTE) w18x) regardless of the absolute grade of regurgitation, in cases of preoperative AF, trans-tricuspid PMK lead and underlying rheumatic disease. Also, 'ring' annuloplasty techniques should b...

  Annulus remodeling and stabilization with a ring is a necessary step in mitral and tricuspid valve repair to maintain effective leaflet coaptation and improve long-term results. Although conventional rings meet the basic needs of adults, they do not preserve the changes in shape and size occurring during the cardiac cycle, and do not allow growth of the native annulus in children. The bioring...

Sir, T Doppler imaging (TDI) is sensitive in detecting early myocardial dysfunction. There are, however, great variations in normal values observed by different workers. This could be because of impact of demographic variables on TDI velocities. We studied 64 normal persons with clinic BP of 120/80mmhg or less and devoid of other cardiovascular risk factors. Mmode, 2-D, pulsed Doppler and tissu...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the early results of a new method to repair malfunctioning bicuspid aortic valves by creating a tricuspid valve with a crown-like (i.e. anatomic) annulus. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve patients (ages from 10 to 27 years) with chronic regurgitation (and flow-dependent stenosis) of a bicuspid aortic valve underwent repair with the principle of creating a tricuspid valve and ...