Cuff-preserving technique for aortic mechanical artificial valve replacement performed for perivalvular leakage.

We present a new, less-invasive technique for a re-do for perivalvular leakage after aortic mechanical valve replacement. Only the carbon ring of the previously implanted St. Jude prosthesis was excised, the sewing cuff being preserved. The locations of the perivalvular defects were clearly identified by pulling the sewing cuff inward. They were securely closed by placing pledgeted sutures at the preserved cuff through the full thickness of the aortic wall or through the annulus by a deep bite from the left ventricular side. A new mechanical prosthesis was then sewn onto the preserved sewing cuff.