A method for insertion of a stented xenograft valve in the atrioventricular position

To facilitate the insertion of prosthetic valves, holders are available which keep the poppet out of the area of suture insertion or keep the open ends of the struts occluded. No such holders are available for use during insertion of xenograft valves, and it seems unlikely that one could be used, for danger of damage to the valve leaflets. To obviate this problem, we have brought the flexible struts together with a suture at the time of insertion. The struts assume their original open position upon cutting the suture.