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Virtual Basal Ring Annuloplasty
Ring annuloplasty for mitral valve repair became the gold standard by virtue of assuring a certain durable degree of leaflet coaptation. Dr. Tirone David and other advocates have proven indirectly that aortic valve repair with a ring, as part of valve sparing procedures, can also provide a durable degree of leaflet coaption. While internal aortic valve annuloplasty rings are not currently commercially available, the author and others have adapted a simple Dacron band for use in aortic valve annuloplasty at the level of the virtual basal ring during isolated valve repair, without formal root replacement. It is anticipated by the author that stabilization of the virtual basal ring will accomplish for aortic valve repair what has already been achieved in establishing mitral valve repair as the gold standard.
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