Work

Automated annular suture device versus conventional annular suture technique in endoscopic aortic valve replacement: A propensity score–matched analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To overcome some of the challenges of endoscopic aortic valve replacement, an automated annular suturing device has been developed and used in aortic valve replacement surgeries. The current study compares the early clinical outcomes of patients who received endoscopic aortic valve replacement with the help of the RAM device (LSI Solutions) versus the conventional annular suture technique. Methods: From March 2017 to March 2025, 1280 patients underwent endoscopic aortic valve replacement via right anterior minithoracotomy in 3 cardiac referral centers in Germany. The RAM automated suture device was used in 259 cases, and the conventional annular suture technique was used in 1021 patients. A propensity score analysis was performed in 259 matched pairs. Results: = .5). Conclusions: The use of the RAM device in endoscopic aortic valve replacement is as safe, feasible, and effective as the conventional annular suture technique and yields excellent early outcomes. After a short learning curve, the RAM device was associated with reduced surgical time by facilitating annular suturing in endoscopic fashion.

Source: JTCVS Techniques

DOI: 10.1016/j.xjtc.2025.09.034