Mitral valve replacement in a severely calcified posterior annulus: a novel technique.

We describe a technique for insertion of a mitral valve prosthesis in the presence of severe posterior annular calcification by plicating the left atrial tissue over the sewing ring. Extensive calcification often creates the technical difficulty of seating the prosthetic valve resulting in peri prosthetic leakage. Extensive decalcification may weaken the annulus and result in prosthetic valve dehiscence and atrioventricular dissociation.