Transatrial atrioventricular valve testing in the beating, fully loaded heart

Area of Science:

• Cardiac Surgery
• Cardiovascular Research
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Visual inspection of atrioventricular valves is crucial for assessing cardiac function.
• Existing methods may have limitations in evaluating valve function in a beating heart.
• The mitral and tricuspid valves play vital roles in maintaining unidirectional blood flow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a safe and effective technique for the visual inspection of atrioventricular valves.
• To enable real-time assessment of valve function in a beating, loaded ventricle.
• To provide a method for evaluating both mitral and tricuspid valve integrity.

Main Methods:

• A technique involving reestablishing heartbeat with a cross-clamped aorta and venting air.
• Ventricular filling via an arterial return line through a 6-mm tube.
• Snaring the pulmonary artery to facilitate right ventricle filling for tricuspid valve assessment.

Main Results:

• The described technique allows for safe visual inspection of atrioventricular valve function.
• The method is applicable to both the left (mitral) and right (tricuspid) ventricles.
• The beating, loaded, non-ejecting ventricle model facilitates functional valve assessment.

Conclusions:

• This novel technique offers a reliable approach for intraoperative atrioventricular valve evaluation.
• The method enhances the ability of surgeons to assess valve function in real-time.
• This technique contributes to improved patient outcomes in cardiac surgery.