Minimally invasive redo-aortic valve replacement

Bioprosthetic aortic valves have been used with increasing frequency over the past two decades, often in relatively young patients who may eventually require aortic valve re-operations due to degeneration of the bioprosthesis. Growing experience with minimally invasive aortic valve replacement has prompted surgeons to use minimally invasive approaches also with redo operations for replacement of the aortic valve.  This tutorial describes the operative steps for a minimally invasive redo replacement of the aortic valve through an upper ministernotomy. We demonstrate the surgical access, initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, venting, and cardioplegia strategies. Special situations, such as how to approach patent coronary grafts, the small aortic annulus, and the use of sutureless or rapid deployment valves are demonstrated and discussed. The tutorial shows that minimally invasive redo aortic valve replacement is a safe, effective, and reproducible procedure.