Combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 293 - 295
• Main Authors: Berreklouw, Eric, Ercan, Hüsamettin, Schönberger, Jacques P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-02-1991; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac Surgical Procedures - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve - surgery; Reoperation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Human; Mitral valve; Surgery; Cardiovascular disease; Atrial septum; Surgical approach; Replacement
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/0003-4975(91)90803-X

The combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium was used in 22 patients: to perform a mitral valve repair in 14 patients and mitral valve replacement in 8 patients. Mitral valve operation was combined with other cardiac procedures in 18 patients (82%) and was performed as a reoperation in 3 patients (14%). In all cases there was excellent exposure of the complete mitral annulus and subvalvar apparatus. There were no instances of postoperative bleeding, conduction defects, or intraatrial shunting related to the approach. The combined superior-transseptal approach to the left atrium is an excellent approach that can be used in most reoperations and primary procedures for isolated or combined mitral valve operations.