Intraatrial insertion of a mitral prosthesis in a destroyed or calcified mitral annulus. Invited commentary

Infectious lesions and extreme calcification of the mitral valve annulus can make classic anatomic implantation of a prosthesis impossible. Confronted with these circumstances, we have developed a technique of intraartrial insertion of a mitral prosthesis. The prosthesis has been modified by enlarging the circumference of the sewing ring with a Dacron collar. The collar can be sutured to the left atrial wall above the mitral annulus