Early Postoperative Outcomes for Aortic Valve Replacement Using Stented Versus Sutureless Valves Via a Full Sternotomy or Minimally Invasive Approach: A Network Meta-Analysis of Surgical Techniques

Abstract

Purpose: In the era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, new technologies such as sutureless prosthetic valves and improved access via minimally invasive incisions offer a reduction in surgical trauma for patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement. It remains unclear whether a reduction in cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times, or avoiding complete sternotomy offer improved early postoperative outcomes. A network meta-analysis was performed to compare minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MiAVR) with sutureless aortic valve replacement (SuAVR), and full sternotomy aortic valve replacement (FAVR).