Minimally Invasive Implantation of the EDWARDS INTUITY Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve via a Right Minithoracotomy

During the past decade, many surgeons have focused their interest on the development and improvement of minimally invasive techniques for aortic valve replacement. Although the minimally invasive approaches for the treatment of mitral valve disease have been standardized, the preferred route for aortic valve replacement remains a matter of debate. Access through a right minithoracotomy avoids opening the sternum; however, it requires a greater surgical ability and a learning period, even for experienced surgeons. This enhances the role of sutureless prostheses because these devices are associated with easier placement, excellent hemodynamic performance, and acceptable rates of pacemaker implantation and paravalvular leak. Herein, we report a series of 10 consecutive patients who received an EDWARDS INTUITY rapid deployment valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA USA) by a right minithoracotomy.