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

摘要

A stentless bioprosthetic valve (12) includes at least one piece of biocompatible material comprising a bi-leaflet conduit having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end defines a first annulus for suturing to the valve annulus in the heart. The conduit includes first and second leaflets (30, 32) that mimic the native anterior and posterior leaflets and extend between the ends of the conduit. The distal end defines a second annulus (82) at which the first and second leaflets terminate. The conduit further includes first and second pairs (40, 42) of prosthetic chordae (44) projecting from the leaflets at the second annulus. Each of the prosthetic chordae comprises a solid uninterrupted extension of the piece of biocompatible material. A method for replacing the native mitral valve with a stentless bioprosthetic valve is also provided.