We report the first successful implantation in the United States of a novel mitral valve (MITRIS RESILIA by Edwards Lifesciences) in a patient with history of mitral valve replacement at a young age. This new bioprosthetic valve offers a unique profile and innovative option for mitral valve replacement in patients who are at risk of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

A 10-month-old infant with severe tricuspid valve disease due to staphylococcal bacterial endocarditis, underwent surgical replacement of the valve. The new valve was fashioned using an autologous pericardial patch. Over 3 years of follow-up, the new valve has functioned satisfactorily, with moderately elevated right atrial pressure.

A 21-year-old woman with tetralogy of Fallot, who had undergone a right Blalock-Taussig shunt at one year of age, developed endocarditis of the aortic valve. Septic thrombosis of the right pulmonary artery was diagnosed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. Replacement of the aortic valve initially performed by a St. Jude Medical prosthesis, was unsuccessful due to immobilization of the valve occluder. Subsequent replacement of the St. Jude valve by a Carpentier-Edwards valve was uneventful. Thrombectomy and patch enlargement of the right pulmonary artery were also performed successfully. We suggest that the St. Jude Medical valve should be employed with caution for replacement of the aortic valve in patients with tetralogy of Fallot who have not undergone intracardiac repair. Transesophageal echocardiography is extremely useful in discovering undiagnosed associated lesion such as septic thrombosis of the pulmonary arteries.

Eight patients, four males and four females, age five to 13 years old (average: 11 years) have undergone surgery in the acute phase of rheumaticfever. The patients presented a history of rheumatic activity characterized by the presence of migratory arthritis and carditis. All patients had severe acute mitral insufficiency, while one of them had associated aortic insufficiency. Laboratory examinations revealed the presence of an acute inflammatory condition. All patients had acute heart failure and were treated initially with high doses of diuretics, peripheral vasopressor and vasodilator amines, together with cardiotonic drugs, without improvement. Surgical treatment was indicated after a period of observation between 24 hours and five days. In five patients, the Doppler echocardiogram revealed rupture and elongation of tendinous cords. Two of them had acute dilatation of the mitral ring, and one had isolated acute dilatation of the mitral ring. Five patients underwent valvar replacement and, in three, valvar repair was carried out. Two patients, who were in cardiogenic shock at the time of their referral, died in the operating room following replacement of the mitral valve. All patients who underwent repair of the mitral valve were in good condition at the last follow-up, six to 27 months after surgery.

A 29-year-old woman who had tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries developed aortic regurgitation due to infectious endocarditis. Isolated aortic valve replacement was undertaken because of heart failure unresponsive to medical therapy. Excessive flow through the aortopulmonary collateral arteries during cardiopulmonary bypass was controlled by means ofintraaortic balloons which were inflated to occlude the origin of the collateral arteries. Arterial return from the pump was delivered through separate cannulation of the ascending aorta and the right femoral artery. We believe that this method should be considered in those circumstances when excessive flow through systemic-to-pulmonary arteries is expected during cardiopulmonary bypass.