Successful catheter-based valve-in-valve implantation for a regurgitant stentless bioprosthesis.

Catheter-based transapical aortic valve implantation (TA-AVI) in patients with severe stenosis of the aortic valve and with a high operative risk is a new procedure which is becoming established in clinical practice. Aortic regurgitation is not yet a recognized indication for TA-AVI, and to date valve-in-valve (V-in-V) implantation in patients with incompetent stentless bioprostheses has not been attempted. The case is reported of a successful TA-AVI in a regurgitant, uncalcified stentless Medtronic Freestyle bioprosthesis.

Aortic valve replacement with the medtronic freestyle stentless bioprosthesis.

During a five-year period from 1996 to 2000, the Medtronic Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis was implanted in 310 patients of advanced age. Age at operation ranged from 60 to 90 years (mean, 76 +/- 4 years). 191 patients were female and 119 male.