Beating Heart Pulmonary Valve Replacement: Technique of Pulmonary Valve Replacement with a Biological Valve

Pulmonary valve replacement is traditionally performed using cardioplegia in order to induce cardiac arrest during the operation. However, the induction of cardiac arrest is known to be associated with several postoperative complications. Therefore, over the years new cardioprotective techniques have been introduced: one of which is the on-pump beating heart technique. The technique of pulmonary valve replacement on a beating heart could be efficacious in reducing the incidence of cardiac dysfunction or injury which can be associated with the use of cardioplegia. Such as the avoidance of aortic cross-clamping observed in the beating heart technique may be linked with lower risks of stroke and other aortic complications. Therefore, the technique that we present combines the advantages of operating on a beating heart and being on-pump in the context of complex re-do operations of the pulmonary valve.