Study on Efficacy, Safety and Durability of the UniLine Prosthesis in the Treatment of Aortic and Mitral Valve Disease

Acquired heart diseases continue to remain one of the most common causes of cardiac mortality and morbidity. In Russia, heart valve diseases account for 7 to 25% of all cardiovascular diseases, moreover, they rank third as the cause of heart failure. Prosthetic heart valves commonly used as an effective treatment of acquired valvular heart diseases (AVHD). In the Russian Federation, open surgery treatment of AVHD is performed in more than 40 regions by specialists from 92 healthcare organizations. Surgeries on heart valves, being high-tech care, most effectively prolong the life of patients. Timely treatment of the disease allows 75-95% of patients to return to an active lifestyle and work. The purpose of surgical interventions is to increase life expectancy and to improve the quality of life, which can be achieved via adequate changes in intracardiac hemodynamics and reverse remodeling in the postoperative period.

Bioprosthetic heart valves, unlike most mechanical valves, are characterized by high thromboresistance, optimal (similar to native) hemodynamics parameters and quietness; they improve the quality of life of patients and do not require anticoagulant therapy in the long-term postoperative period. Moreover, bioprosthetic valve dysfunction develops slowly (within a few months or years), meaning that there is time for further examination and preoperative preparation, and a patient's life can be saved.

The "UniLine" bioprosthesis is designed for mitral or aortic valve replacement. This medical device has been used in clinical practice since 2008. Manufacturing of the "UniLine" bioprosthesis involves novel and innovative technologies, including high-precision thickness measurement and laser cutting for the leaflets, which prevents the unfolding of collagen structure along the edge of the cut, and ensures maximum uniformity of the material used, preventing the development of fatigue-induced changes. Unique modeling of leaflets provides complete coaptation. Anticalcification treatment with aminophosphonates contributes to a significant decrease in calcium-binding capacity, which helps to reduce the risk of dysfunction. The absence of synthetic components in the bioprosthesis should reduce the likelihood of endocarditis. Xenopericardium is preserved by using the epoxide compound (diglycidyl ether of ethylene glycol) under low pressure. Each "UniLine" bioprosthesis is subject to mandatory preclinical hydrodynamic assessment in accordance with the National Standards of the Russian Federation (GOST 26997-2003 and GOST 52999-2008). The "UniLine" atrioventricular biological prosthesis is manufactured in standard sizes 26, 28, 30 and 32, the "UniLine" aortic biological prosthesis is manufactured in standard sizes 21, 23, 25.

Treating aortic or mitral valve disease using the "UniLine" biological prosthesis is expected to improve survival rates. Supposedly, in vivo the "UniLine" biological prosthesis will show optimal hemodynamic characteristics and high resistance to structural valve degeneration and infectious damage, thus lowering the risk of dysfunction. Moreover, the risk of repeated intervention due to dysfunction of the "UniLine" bioprosthesis should not exceed the risk of the primary implantation. Supposedly, in the case of dysfunction of "UniLine" bioprosthesis it would be possible to perform repeated replacement using valve-in-valve technique.

The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness, safety, durability of the "UniLine" epoxy-treated prosthesis and the long-term outcome of the treatment of isolated mitral and aortic valve diseases using this prosthesis.

In accordance with the objectives and hypothesis, the following data will be analyzed: actuarial and linear survival rates (general and cardiac), non-lethal prosthesis-associated complications, prosthetic dysfunction and repeated interventions.

Moreover, in vivo hemodynamic parameters of the prosthesis will be assessed: the area of the effective opening surface, peak and mean gradient of pressure and blood flow velocity.

The study will be conducted at the Research Institute of Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases. Study protocol received sponsorship approval and approval by Ethics Committee of the Research Institute and Research Coordinating Committee. The study will enroll 2000 patients who underwent isolated mitral or aortic valve replacement; transthoracic echocardiography will be conducted in all patients available for in-person visit.