Solutions to patient-prosthesis mismatch in aortic valve replacement.

摘要

The ideal replacement device for a diseased aortic valve remains elusive. The characteristics of such a prosthesis, were it to be made available, would include lifelong durability, the absence of anticoagulation requirement, and perfect haemodynamics with no residual gradient or any regurgitation. It would be quiet, would not cause haemolysis and be immune to infection. There would be no associated thrombo-embolic complications, no collateral damage to associated cardiac structures during insertion, or usage of other cardiac or aortic tissue, and it would be able to be implanted percutaneously. Of the above nine desirable criteria, all of the currently available aortic valve substitutes fail at least.