Product analysis: upon receipt at medtronic¿s quality laboratory, visual examination revealed the valve was slightly distorted; oval shaped, and the stent posts were slightly deflected.All leaflets were in the closed position, however, due to dehiscence at the left right commissure, the right cusp was prolapsed, crowding the leaflets at the inflow view.All leaflets were stiff but slightly flexible except where pannus was observed.All leaflets were intact except where the commissure was detached/dehisced.Due to pannus at the non-coronary left commissure and the dehisced commissure at the right left stent post, the leaflets were crowded, and the right cusp was prolapsed.The right left commissure was found dehisced, possibly related to separation of the layers of aortic wall behind the commissure.The sutures holding the aortic wall to the stent post were intact.Minimal calcification and possible tissue deterioration was observed at the non-coronary right commissure.The non-coronary left commissure was covered with pannus where leaflet attachments could not be viewed.Pannus was observed all around the outflow aspect of the sewing ring, extending to the base stitching to the inflow margin of the attachment, encroaching up to 4 mm on to the cusps and into the inferior coaptive areas between all cusps.The pannus appeared to have restricted leaflet movement.Pannus covered the non-coronary left commissure extending to the outflow rail along the left cusp.Remnants of pannus was observed on the outflow rail of the left cusp and extending to the non-coronary left stent post and right left stent post.An unknown amount of pannus appeared to have been removed on the inflow and outflow during explant.Radiography revealed calcification at the right left commissure (dehisced area) and at the non-coronary right commissure.Conclusion: reduced performance of the valve is attributed to calcification and host tissue overgrowth.These findings are generally considered a patient-related condition.If information is provided in the future, a supplemental report will be issued.
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