The Direct Approach for the Correction of Aortic Insufficiency

Recent developments for surgical aortic valve replacement: The concept of sutureless valve technology

“…In 1954, Hufnagel and colleagues described 23 patients with aortic insufficiency who had been treated during the previous 2 years by rapid insertion of an acrylic ball valve into the descending aorta [33]. Since the valve prevented regurgitant flow only from the low part of the body, cardiac work was only partially decreased.…”

Prosthetic Aortic Valves: A Surgical and Bioengineering Approach

“…Different surgical operations were approached before extracorporeal circulation by implantation of artificial valve designs in peripheral vessels, like that of Hufnagel & Harvey in 1952(Hufnagel & Harvey, 1953, when an aortic valve, made by a combination of biologically inert materials (a lucite® tube-like design with a mobile spherical poppet inside) was implanted in the descending thoracic aorta of a patient with a significant aortic insufficiency. However, it was at end of 50s when a caged ball type MHV was introduced.…”

Selection of Prosthetic Valve and Evidence—Need for the Development of Japan’s Own Guidelines

“…1,2) In the 1950s, however, the introduction of prosthetic valves dramatically improved the prognoses of patients with valvular diseases, and even today, prosthetic valves are essential in the treatment of valvular disease. In 1952, Hufnagel transplanted a ball-type prosthetic valve in the descending aorta, 3) and in 1960, Braunwald,4) Harken,5) and Starr 6) et al performed replacement surgery using prosthetic valves that they developed uniquely. Among those, the Starr-Edwards ball valve was the most popular prosthetic valve at the time.…”