After preparing the left ventricular outflow tract, or LVOT, trim any excess lymphatic, connective, or pulmonary artery tissue off the aorta. Using Metzenbaum scissors, incise the superior aspect of the aortic arch from the descending aorta to the left subclavian artery. Continue the incision on the superior aspect of the aortic arch from the left subclavian artery to the brachiocephalic trunk.
To cannulate the LVOT, insert the fixture into the LVOT under the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Wrap the left ventricle free wall around the fixture and trim excess tissue to maintain a tight wrap around the fixture. Next, remove half the thickness of the left ventricle free wall, starting at the interventricular septum.
Trim one centimeter of the tissue off the superior corner of the left ventricle free wall wrap. Place the fixture in the LVOT, so the supporting rod attachment hole is one centimeter behind the left ventricle incision. Using one or two six-inch zip ties, fasten the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve to the fixture positioned between the chordae tendineae of the leaflet.
Next, using a taper point needle, suture the cuff of the left atrium tissue on the aorta to the mitral valve annulus. Continue the running stitch onto the left ventricle without tearing the tissue. Using Hegar Dilators, measure the diameter of the aortic valve.
Then lift the specimen by grasping the aorta to identify the neutral position of the aorta. Insert the pulse duplicator or PD fixture into the aorta, ensuring the rod attachment holes are aligned with the neutral position of the aorta. Verify the specimen's length by inserting the support rods into the attachment holes.
Using one or two six-inch zip ties, secure the PD fixture to the aorta. Then using screws provided with the PD set. Secure the support rods in place.
Subsequently, secure the LVOT around the PD fixture using one or two eight-inch zip ties. Place the specimen in the PD and start the hydrodynamic testing. The values for hydrodynamic testing of the native aortic valve were within the normal range with a mean regurgitation fraction of 5.74%Hydrodynamic testing values showed no significant differences between formalin and glutaraldehyde fixed samples.
After the Ozaki procedure, the values obtained with the control patch material suggested consistent valve replacement outcomes.
