METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPLACING A MITRAL VALVE WITH A STENTLESS BIOPROSTHETIC VALVE

摘要

A stentless bioprosthetic valve includes at least one piece of biocompatible material comprising a bi-leaflet conduit. The conduit has a distal end and a proximal end that defines a first annulus for suturing to the valve annulus of a heart. The conduit further includes first and second leaflets that mimic the anterior and posterior leaflets of the native mitral valve. The first and second leaflets extend between the proximal and distal ends. The distal end defines a second annulus at which the first and second leaflets terminate. The second annulus is for suturing to free edges of the anterior and posterior leaflets of the native mitral valve that remain intact following resection of the native mitral valve so that the native chordae tendineae continue to provide prolapse prevention and left ventricular muscle support functions in addition to maintaining the continuity between the valve annulus and the papillary muscles. A method for replacing the native mitral valve with a stentless bioprosthetic valve is also provided.