Corresponding author:
Olina Dagher, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Foothills Medical Centre,
880-1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2T9. Phone: +1 438 830 1928. Fax:
+1 403 283 0744. Email: olina.dagher@ahs.ca
Abstract: In the early 1980s, implantation of bileaflet
mechanical mitral valves (MMVs) in the anatomical plane was found to be
associated with incomplete closure of the posterior leaflet, resulting
in a higher incidence of valve thrombosis. This phenomenon, coined as
the “lazy” leaflet, was avoided with anti-anatomical orientation. This
historical observation helped standardize the implantation technique,
but variability in surgical practice for leaflet orientation persists.
The latter might have been increasing since rotatable cuff designs
became available on newer generation models of MMVs. Indeed, this
feature makes it tempting to prioritize a perfect custom prosthetic fit
at the expense of proper orientation. We present the case of a young
woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease in whom an On-X MMV was
rotated in the anatomical plane, resulting in a limited excursion of the
posterior occluder. This case illustrates that anti-anatomical
implantation should still be favored with new-generation MMV models.