FAQ

For Heart Valve Patients
  • 1. Will my annuloplasty ring be affected by computer tomography?

    No. Computer Tomography (CT) uses precision x-rays to produce high-quality images of organs. X-rays will not damage any annuloplasty ring.

    Up
  • 2. Will I have to receive another surgery to replace my current ring implant?

    It is intended that mitral or tricuspid valve repair last a patient's lifetime. It should be noted that there are many factors that play into the post-surgical results, the foremost of which is the patient's specific disease pattern. The patient should always discuss the ultimate objective of the surgery with his or her surgeon, cardiologist and family doctor.

    Up
  • 3. Will a tanning bed affect my valve or annuloplasty ring?

    No. An annuloplasty ring is not affected by ultra-violet rays, even if the rays could penetrate that deeply into your tissue.

    Up
  • 4. What is valve repair?

    Valve repair (also known as valvuloplasty) is a surgical procedure performed to fix and restore a diseased heart valve. The advantages of heart valve repair are improved lifestyle, better preservation of heart function, lower risk of infection and decreased need of blood thinner medication.
    Mitral repair is often associated with an annuloplasty procedure to support the reconstruction and reinforce the valve annulus as well as prevent future annular dilation.
    The mitral valve is the most commonly repaired valve

    Up
  • 5. What is the shelf life for an annuloplasty ring?

    Five years from the date of sterilization. The expiration date is marked on the packaging.

    Up
  • 6. What is the difference between a rigid, a flexible and a semi-rigid annuloplasty ring?

    A rigid ring, once implanted, fixes the valve in a specific shape. A flexible ring, once implanted, allows the valve to take whatever shape is natural for it and probably can conform to the changes in shape and position of the left atrioventricular junction during the cardiac cycle.
    A semi-rigid ring is a combination of a rigid and a flexible ring. All three types of rings can be used for mitral valve repair; the surgeon’s preference is implanted.
    Sorin Group offers rigid, flexible and semi-rigid rings.

    Up
  • 7. What is mitral regurgitation?

    Mitral regurgitation, a valvular heart disease also known as mitral insufficiency, is the incomplete closure of the mitral valve resulting in the abnormal backflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium of the heart.

    Up
  • 8. What is an annuloplasty ring?

    An annuloplasty ring is a prosthetic device which is sutured around the native valve annulus to support the repair procedure by restoring the shape and the function of the valve and preventing recurrent annular dilatation.
    Annuloplasty devices may be closed (ring) and open (band) and range from rigid to flexible and semi-rigid, according to the internal core construction.

    Up
  • 9. What are the potential complications associated with annuloplasty?

    Adverse events potentially associated with the use of prosthetic annuloplasty rings include: death; reoperation and explant; residual or recurrent valvular insufficiency; stenosis; thromboembolism; hemolysis; A-V block; low cardiac output; right heart failure; failure or degeneration of the patient's natural valvular apparatus due to progression of disease, endocarditis, or inadequate/incomplete repair of the valvular and subvalvular structures; suture obliteration of the circumflex coronary artery; complications related to prolonged bypass, aortic cross-clamping, and inadequate myocardial protection; partial dislodgment of the ring from its site of attachment; malfunction of the ring due to distortion at time of implant or physical or chemical deterioration of ring components; tearing of the cloth covering with the use of cutting needles or serrated forceps; bleeding diatheses related to the use of anticoagulant therapy; systolic anterior motion and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction whenever a large posterior leaflet is present. For additional information, please review the Instructions For Use located inside each implant package.

    Up
  • 10. What are annuloplasty rings indicated for?

    Annuloplasty rings are indicated for the correction of congenital and acquired mitral insufficiencies with dilatation and deformation of the mitral annulus.
     

    Up
Up