Despite improvements in bioprosthetic valve function, increased human life-expectancy has led to a growing number of bioprosthetic valve deterioration cases requiring reoperation. We report 2 cases of primary tissue failure of a bioprosthetic valve, which were treated by mitral valve replacement using the valve-on-valve method. The reasons for the reoperations were a severely calcified valve annulus, and severe adhesion of a previous bioprosthetic valve. We removed only the leaflets of the bioprosthetic valve and sutured a Carbomedics OptiForm valve onto the sewing cuff of the previous bioprosthesis. No complications, including major cardiac events, were noted during the follow-up.
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StassanoPMusumeciALosiMAGagliardiCSpampinatoN. Mid-term results of the valve-on-valve technique for bioprosthetic failure. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg2000; 18: 453–457.
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ShibataTInoueKIkutaTBitoYYoshiokaYMizoguchiH. Which valve and which size should we use in the valve-on-valve technique for re-do mitral valve surgery?Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg2009; 8: 206–210.
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