| Summary: | We describe a case of mitral valve (MV) replacement using modified Melody valve implantation.
Methods: A 2.5 year-old girl,with a history of ALCAPA repair in April 2012, had undergone MV repair by ring annuloplasty at 1 year of age. She came back with severe MV stenosis (mean gradient, 8 mmHg) and regurgitation. She had a hugely dilated left atrium and a MV annulus of 14 mm. She, then, underwent surgical MV replacement with a modified Melody valve.
Results: The Melody valve was prepared before the cardiopulmonary bypass. The procedure included stent shortening and adding a bovine pericardial sewing ring. Through a trans-septal approach, the previous MV ring was removed, the pericardial ring patch of the Melody valve was secured to the mitral annulus and the ventricular end of the valve was fixed to the posterior–inferior wall of the left ventricle. The prosthesis was then inflated to size 16 mm. Testing of the valve showed good leaflet coaptation. The atrial septum was closed by fenestrated (4 mm) bovine pericardial patch. TEE showed good valve function with a tiny paravalvular leak and no left ventricular outflow obstruction. The pulmonary veins were also unobstructed.
Conclusions: The modified Melody valve is a viable option for children MV annular diameters, providing a valid alternative to existing prostheses. The technique is relatively easy and the short term result is very good. This prosthesis will be particularly attractive if maintaining competence after subsequent dilations as the child grows.
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