Mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring for failing surgical bioprosthetic valves and rings.

The transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) procedure for failed aortic bioprostheses is recognized as an alternative treatment to conventional surgery in high-risk patients. This less invasive option has now been applied to failed mitral bioprostheses (VIV) or failed repairs i.e. valve-in-ring (VIR). In this emerging field, to get an optimal result, a good understanding of the design features of the failed surgical heart valve/ring, the transcatheter heart valve being used and their compatibility, is of paramount importance. Although similar in many ways to the aortic counterpart, a mitral VIV/VIR procedure can pose certain different challenges such as delayed migration and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This review describes the features of bioprostheses, rings and THVs relevant to a VIV/VIR procedure, and also provides guidance regarding sizing, positioning and how to avoid some of the major complications therefore improving the chances of a successful outcome.