Remplacement valvulaire mitral par homogreffe

The total homograft replacement of the left AV valve and subvalvular apparatus constitutes a delicate operation, which may prove beneficial in young patients with extensive bacterial endocarditis. The case of a staphylococcal endocarditis in a young drug addicted patient, operated three years previously of mitral valve repair for the same pathology, is presented. In addition to the complete excision of infected tissues and valvular substitution with biological material, this technique has the advantage of avoiding long term anticoagulation. The history, technical key points, and current indications of mitral homograft in the surgery of the left atrio-ventricular valves are reviewed.