Evaluation of a Shape Memory Alloy Reinforced Annuloplasty Band for Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 88; no. 4; pp. 1312 - 1316
• Main Authors: Purser, Molly F., PhD, Richards, Andrew L., MS, Cook, Richard C., MD, Osborne, Jason A., PhD, Cormier, Denis R., PhD, Buckner, Gregory D., PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Disease Models, Animal; Endocardial and cardiac valvular diseases; Heart; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation - instrumentation; Materials Testing - methods; Medical sciences; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Models, Theoretical; Pneumology; Prosthesis Design; Robotics; Surgery; Swine; 35; Evaluation; Minimally invasive surgery; Mitral valve; Shape memory alloy; Cardiac valvular disease; Cardiovascular disease; Anesthesia; Circulatory system; Annuloplasty; Cardiology; Mitral valve disease
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2009.04.133

Purpose An in vitro study using explanted porcine hearts was conducted to evaluate a novel annuloplasty band, reinforced with a two-phase, shape memory alloy, designed specifically for minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Description In its rigid (austenitic) phase, this band provides the same mechanical properties as the commercial semi-rigid bands. In its compliant (martensitic) phase, this band is flexible enough to be introduced through an 8-mm trocar and is easily manipulated within the heart. Evaluation In its rigid phase, the prototype band displayed similar mechanical properties to commercially available semi-rigid rings. Dynamic flow testing demonstrated no statistical differences in the reduction of mitral valve regurgitation. In its flexible phase, the band was easily deployed through an 8-mm trocar, robotically manipulated and sutured into place. Conclusions Experimental results suggest that the shape memory alloy reinforced band could be a viable alternative to flexible and semi-rigid bands in minimally invasive mitral valve repair.