Surgical Transatrial Implantation of Transcatheter Heart Valves in Severe Mitral Annular Calcification.

Surgical mitral valve replacement in patients with severe annular calcification is a challenge for the cardiac surgeon. Surgical transatrial implantation of a transcatheter heart valve is an alternative for selected patients, in particular those at risk for obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract or valve embolization. Herein, we review patient selection, surgical technique, and early outcomes after this novel hybrid procedure.