To treat valvular regurgitation or stenosis, annuloplasty rings are often used. An annuloplasty ring supports the annulus of the valve to maintain the correct diameter of the valve opening when the annulus is too wide, preventing the leaflets from closing completely, or too narrow, causing stenosis. Rings are highly specific to the size of the patient's annulus, so accurate sizing is very important. Most valvular annuloplasty procedures are performed on mitral valves and tricuspid valves because aortic valves are more difficult to treat due to their smaller size, thinner leaflets, and inability to be forced further open, and because pulmonary valve dysfunction is less common. As such, most annuloplasty rings on the market are designed specifically for mitral or tricuspid valves. See the video below for a mitral annuloplasty ring placement.
Valve Repair vs. Replacement
When valvular disease is diagnosed, the two primary options for treatment are repair or replacement of the native valve. Generally, valve repair is preferred over valve replacement due to the complications associated with replacement valves, including limited durability of about 10 years for bioprosthetic replacements or the need for anticoagulation therapy with taxing side effects for mechanical replacement valves. In cases where the native valve leaflets are the cause of the problem, valve repair by annuloplasty may not be an option. However, when possible, annuloplasty rings are used. Repair is superior to replacement due to the following reasons:
