Methods
We retrospectively reviewed our Aortic Valve Replacement database. We
were able to identify 25 rapid deployment aortic valves (INTUITY Valve
System, Edwards Life Sciences LLC,
Irvine, Calif) that had documented intraoperative Transesophageal
Echocardiographic Annular
measurements. Written consent was obtain from participants in the
study. All of those valves were implanted in the Aortic position. In
this cohort, we only included patients that had their native aortic
valve replaced either isolated or as part of any additional procedure.
Patients that underwent Intuity valve implantation for Redo Aortic valve
replacement were excluded from this study.
Follow up was immediately post-operatively (1-3 weeks) and also at
different intervals during the post-operative course (minimum 1 month)
at which time an echocardiogram was performed. The mean age of our
patient cohort was 68.3 (range: 55-75) years. Patients baseline
characteristics are summarized on table 1. (age, concomitant procedures-
cabg, mitral valve, tricuspid etc, approach sternotomy, upper
sternotomy, right thoracotomy). Our Cardiac Anesthesiology team measured
the aortic annulus prior to initiation of the operation using
transesophageal echocardiography. Measurements were performed both in
the long and short axis views. All measurements were appropriately
documented, the implanted valve sizes were reviewed, and a correlation
was concluded between Echocardiographic annular measurements and actual
implanted valve sizes.