DIRECT AORTIC ACCESS SYSTEM FOR TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE PROCEDURES

摘要

Disclosed are a system and method for performing a medical procedure using direct percutaneous access of an aorta. A main sheath is introduced through an incision formed in proximity to the sternum, and positioned along (and preferable against) a posterior portion of the sternum. Instruments passed through the main sheath are used to form a purse-string suture in an exterior wall of the aorta. An opening is formed in the wall of the aorta in a region encircled by the purse-string suture, and a distal end of an introducer sheath is advanced through the opening into the aorta. A medical procedure, which may be a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is performed using instruments passed through the introducer sheath into the aorta. After the medical procedure, the introducer sheath is withdrawn from the aorta and, as the introducer sheath is withdrawn, the purse-string suture is tightened to close the opening.