First-in-Man Use of Sutureless Perceval Valve for Endocarditis After Ozaki Procedure: A Bail-Out Strategy in Redo Infectious Aortic Valve Surgery.

Background and Clinical Significance: The Ozaki procedure offers excellent hemodynamics and mid-term durability, but infective endocarditis (IE), although rare, remains its most serious complication and frequently requires complex redo surgery. Sutureless valve technology, particularly the Perceval bioprosthesis, has shown value in high-risk endocarditis due to reduced annular manipulation and rapid deployment. Case Presentation: We describe the first reported case of Perceval sutureless valve implantation as a bail-out strategy for IE after a prior Ozaki procedure. A 68-year-old male previously treated with Ozaki reconstruction and LIMA-LAD bypass presented with septic and cardiogenic shock caused by Streptococcus bovis endocarditis, two years after the first surgery. TOE revealed torrential aortic regurgitation from destruction of the anterior neocuspid and large vegetations. Despite a EuroSCORE II of 89.5%, emergent redo surgery was undertaken. Redo sternotomy revealed extensive leaflet destruction and a sub-annular abscess involving two sinuses. Following radical debridement and annular reconstruction, a medium Perceval valve was implanted due to severe tissue fragility. The prosthesis seated securely with no paravalvular leakage.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates that the Perceval sutureless valve can be an effective bailout option for post-Ozaki infective endocarditis, particularly when annular integrity is compromised, and conventional sutured prostheses are high risk. The combination of rapid deployment and minimal annular stress may expand therapeutic possibilities in complex redo aortic surgery.