Aorto-Mitral Patch Enlargement for Elective Substantial Double Valve Upsizing

Abstract

Reconstruction of the intervalvular fibrosa is normally associated with endocarditis and the surgical principles are well established. Here, we describe how these principles are further extended and applied for the elective enlargement of the aorto-mitral continuity. Our aim was to achieve double valve upsizing in noninfective conditions. The first patient had rheumatic fever and a first double valve replacement as an adult. Her two tissue valves were later upsized at the time of replacement with mechanical prostheses. The concept was then used to perform a substantial annular enlargement in another adult patient whose original double valve replacement was done in childhood, when she received aortic and mitral prostheses measuring 17 and 23 mm, respectively. After upsizing with the technique described, her new valves were 25 and 29 mm in diameter.