Aortic Valve Replacement Above the Aortic Annulus (SA-AVR) With the Carpentier-Edwards Magna-Ease Bioprosthesis

After median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established between the ascending aorta and the right atrium. The aorta was cross-clamped and a high potassium warm cardioplegia was infused and repeated every 15 minutes. The aortotomy was made above the sinuses and the aortic valve was removed. The prosthesis was chosen one size larger than the maximal sizer that could be inserted, which was also used to determine the appropriate height for insertion of the sutures along the wall of the non-coronary sinus.