Importance

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Abstract

Expandable prosthetic heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, an expandable prosthetic heart valve includes a support stent comprising an expandable tubular base along an inflow end and three upstanding commissure posts along an outflow end. The three commissure posts are spaced at 120 degree intervals with gaps therebetween. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a tubular flexible member having a prosthetic section and a fabric section. The prosthetic section is connected to the three commissure posts and defines three leaflets, preferably formed of pericardial tissue. The fabric section is sutured to the expandable tubular base. The tubular base may be formed with a shape memory material and is sized for deployment with an annulus of a native aortic valve. After deployment, the three commissure posts support the leaflets above the tubular base for replacing the function of the native aortic valve. In one variation, flanges may be provided on the support stent for improving attachment of the support stent to the host tissue.

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First Claim