Abstract
The neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG, wavelength; 1064 nm) laser knife was used for valvulotomy of severely calcified aortic valves in 12 patients. The fibrous layer enveloping the calcium deposits was peeled off the valvular annulus and the native valvular leaflet. The underlying calcium deposits were then resected. The average aortic cross-clamp time was 69 +/- 21 minutes. The cardiopulmonary bypass time averaged 118 +/- 32 minutes. All of the patients were discharged from the hospital without complications. Laser valvulotomy can be used to resect severely calcified aortic valves without mechanical crushing, reducing the risk of embolization.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 245-247 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Annals of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 08-1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Surgery
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gastroenterology