Superior Biatrial Septotomy and Beating Heart Approach for Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement in a Patient with Refractory Cardiac Failure

Abstract

Time-consuming and complex cardiac surgery remains a challenge in patients with impaired ventricular function and consequently necessary prolonged cardioplegic arrest may jeopardize a fragile myocardial status. The case is reported of a 63-year-old male patient with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and history of refractory cardiac failure who successfully underwent a beating heart aortic and mitral valve replacement through a superior biatrial septotomy. Technical considerations and advantages related to this specific surgical access combined with a beating heart approach are discussed.

Key Words:

• Heart failure
• beating heart surgery
• mitral valve replacement
• aortic valve replacement

Additional information

Notes on contributors

D. Derouck

Dr. D. Derouck, M.D. Service de Chirurgie Cardiovasculaire. Hôpital Bon-Secours 1 place Philippe de Vigneulles 57 038 Metz Cedex 01, France Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]