Implantation of transcatheter self-expanding valve through hybrid approach: acute experiment on a large animal model

Objective. To evaluate the properties of original transcatheter self-expanding pulmonary artery valve and to perform implantation in vivo on a large laboratory animal. Material and methods. A healthy 8-month-old female white pig weighing 66 kg underwent acute experimental procedure. Original transcatheter valve was implanted via left-sided minithoracotomy using hybrid surgical approach. Results. Immediate results revealed optimal angiographic and hemodynamic characteristics: normal closure, native pulmonary leaflets covered by the implanted bioprosthesis, no deformity of valve framework and intact pulmonary artery wall. There were no tricuspid obstruction and pressure gradient. Conclusion. Implantation of original transcatheter pulmonary artery valve in a porcine experiment demonstrated its immediate efficacy and safety without the risk of pulmonary artery perforation or displacement.