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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Aortic and mitral valve replacement through a single transverse aortotomy: a useful approach in difficult mitral
M J Carmichael1, D A Cooley, A S Favor
1Texas Heart Institute of St. Luke's Episcopal and Texas Children's Hospitals, Houston, Texas 77225, USA.
Abstract:
Replacement of the mitral valve through a standard vertical left atriotomy in patients requiring both aortic and mitral valve replacement can be very difficult. This is especially true in patients who have undergone previous median sternotomy. Replacement of the mitral valve through the aortic root after excision of the aortic valve is described in two case reports. This is a convenient approach when traditional exposure of the mitral valve is impractical in patients requiring double valve replacement.
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