Duran Flexible Annuloplasty Ring

Flexibility Comes Full Circle

Use of an annuloplasty ring while maintaining strength and flexibility is considered a benefit by surgeons based on the following rationale:

• In patients with degenerative heart disease, it is suggested that a flexible ring may be preferable to a rigid ring. [David]
• The area and shape of the native mitral annulus is shown to decrease 20 to 50 percent during systole. 3,4 [Ormiston,Levin]
• The flexibility of the Duran Ring allows for changes in the mitral orifice area during the entire cardiac cycle. [Yamaura]
• Mitral valve reconstruction for myxomatous disease offers excellent results. [Gillinov]

Ease of Implant

The Duran Flexible Annuloplasty Ring encompasses both performance and practicality. The radiopaque ring is mounted on a blue holder that maintains its natural systolic shape during suture placement and knot tying. Additional components designed to make the Duran Ring easier to implant are packaged separately:

• Polysulfane resterilizable sizers are shaped like the template and they include millimeter scoring to facilitate sizing of the anterior leaflet.
• The clear, plastic template features 12 black suture guides to facilitate suture placement and visibility.
• A malleable, stainless steel, resterilizable handle fits both template and sizers and is available in 216 mm and 251 mm lengths to accommodate surgical technique.

REFERENCES

1. David TE, Armstrong S, Sun Z. Left Ventricular Function After Mitral Valve Surgery. J Heart Valve Dis 1995;4:S175-S180.
2. Ormiston JA, Shah PM, Tei C, Wong M. Size and Motion of the Mitral Valve Annulus in Man. Circulation 1981;64:113.
3. Levin RA, Triulzi MO, Harrigan P, Weyman AE, et al. The Relationship of Mitral Annular Shape to the Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse. Circulation 1987;75:757-767
4. Yamura Y, Yoshida K, Hozumi T, et al. Three Dimensional Echocardiographic Evaluation of Configuration and Dynamics of the Mitral Annulus in Patients Fitted with an Annuloplasty Ring. J Heart Valve Dis 1997;6:43-47.
5. Gillinov AM, Cosgrove DM, Blackstone EH. Durability of Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:472-80.