A Clean Cut: Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Replacement after Heart Transplantation

A 50-year-old female presented with progressive heart failure due to obstruction of the mitral valve after heart transplantation in 2008. Through the occlusion catheter (IntraClude Intra-Aortic Occlusion Device), aortic cross-clamping, antegrade cardioplegia, and aortic root venting were performed. Our case reports the first published study on minimally invasive mitral valve replacement for valve stenosis through intraluminal aortic clamping. The hazard of traumatic injuries can be reduced by avoiding resternotomy and circumventing adhesions between the aorta and the pulmonary artery after heart transplantation. Minimally invasive valve surgery is a safe and effective method with regard to short- and long-term results, especially in redo operations.