Aortic Valve Surgery Using the Magovern Prosthesis

Abstract

he Magovern sutureless aortic valve prosthesis* [l] was devised in an attempt to simplify the technique of insertion and to T shorten the perfusion time required for successful aortic valve replacement. Whether or not it is worthwhile will depend on observations regarding mortality, morbidity, and long-term results in a significant number of cases. This report concerns our experience with 24 patients in whom Magovern prostheses were employed. All patients were evaluated preoperatively with left heart pressures and cineangiocardiography. Twelve patients had mixed aortic valve lesions. Stenosis was predominant in 15. Calcification was severe in 14. Nine patients had pure aortic insufficiency. Two patients were found to have luetic aortitis, and another had cystic medial necrosis with aneurysmal aortic dilatation. All patients had severe impairment of cardiac function. Four patients had undergone previous aortic valve surgery. One had had a transventricular dilatation of the aortic valve six years earlier. Sculpturing procedures had been performed in two patients, and a fourth patient had a Bahnson leaflet replacement for a destroyed aortic valve leaflet. One patient also had a simultaneous StarrEdwards mitral valve replacement.