[Comparison of Two Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement Approaches;Right Infra-axillary Thoracotomy versus Partial Sternotomy].

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement(AVR) is reported to show better postoperative outcomes than those associated with conventional AVR. We compared 2 minimally invasive approaches;right infra-axillary thoracotomy( TAX) and partial sternotomy( PS).

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2017, 54 patients underwent isolated AVR, of whom 14 were in TAX group and 28 were in PS group. Operative outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Preoperative characteristics were similar between the groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross-clamp time were significantly longer in TAX group. Blood transfusion rates, however, were lower[ 5( 35.7%) versus 22 ( 78.6%):p=0.006] and ventilation time was shorter( median 4.0 versus 6.0 hours:p<0.001) in the TAX group. No mortality or stroke occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both TAX and PS AVR could be performed safely, with low mortality and morbidity. TAX was associated with a lower transfusion rate and a shorter ventilation time, and was supposed to be less invasive than PS.