Project description:Bicuspid aortic insufficiency (BAI) patients with root aneurysm often require aortic valve and root replacement in a composite procedure. The valve-sparing root replacement (VSARR) procedure is aimed at preserving the native valve when possible. This case highlights a successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure in a BAI patient previously treated with VSARR. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).
Project description:The original valve-sparing procedures for aortic root aneurysms were remodeling and reimplantation of the aortic root. The remodeling technique provides more physiologic movement of the cusps within 3 reconstructed neo-sinuses, thus preserving root expansibility through the interleaflet triangles. However, the durability of remodeling has been a matter of concern due to the high rate of aortic insufficiency when annular dilation is not addressed. Therefore, a modified approach was developed, combining a physiologic remodeling of the root with a subvalvular annuloplasty. This case report highlights the first case of successful aortic root remodeling with external subvalvular ring annuloplasty in Korea.
Project description:Bentall and valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) procedures are established treatments for aortic root disease. We present a single-center retrospective analysis comparing outcomes of bioprosthetic Bentall (BB), mechanical Bentall (MB), and VSRR patients from November 2007 to October 2016. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the composite endpoint of freedom from recurrent aortic insufficiency, reoperation, or death. Of the 170 patients, BB was performed in 36 patients, MB in 63 patients, and VSRR in 71 patients. For BB, MB, and VSRR, the mean age was 63.8, 45.5, and 49.2 years (P?<?0.001), respectively. Additionally, significantly more patients in the MB group (n = 32, 50.8%, P?<?0.001) than in the BB and VSRR groups had prior cardiac surgeries. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross-clamp time were significantly longer in the VSRR group (P = 0.04 and 0.0005, respectively). Despite the complexity of the procedure, VSRR patients had higher combined freedom from death and reoperation than patients in the BB or MB groups. Elective Bentall root replacement is an excellent option for patients with root disease. Patients undergoing Bentall tend to have more severe or emergent cases, making them unlikely candidates for VSRR. VSRR in experienced centers carries equivalent morbidity and mortality and improved survival.
Project description:A 46-year-old man with a personal history of a repaired aortic dissection was admitted because of hemolytic anemia. The transesophageal echocardiogram displayed an accelerated flow and a residual intimal flap in the proximal descending aorta. A total arch replacement was performed, the flap was removed, and his hemolytic anemia was resolved. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Project description:ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate mid-term outcomes of aortic valve repair with valve-sparing aortic root replacement based on different grades of annulus-cusp mismatch and identify optimal aortic root geometries for this procedure.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted between October 2011 and July 2022. Patients were stratified into three groups based on predicted coaptation length calculated using an annulus-cusp mismatch formula: no-mismatch (coaptation length > 4 mm, n = 52), mild-mismatch (2 mm ≤ coaptation length ≤ 4 mm, n = 28) and severe-mismatch (coaptation length < 2 mm, n = 25), and mid-term outcomes were compared.ResultsWe included 105 patients who underwent valve-sparing root replacement using the reimplantation technique. During the median follow-up of 6.0 years, 21 moderate aortic valve regurgitation events and 6 reoperation events were observed. No significant inter-group differences in overall survival or cumulative incidence of cardiac death or hospitalization for heart failure were observed. However, the groups significantly differed in the cumulative incidence of moderate aortic regurgitation at 5 years (2.0%, 14.8% and 60.1% for no-mismatch, mild-mismatch and severe-mismatch groups, respectively; P < 0.001) and cumulative incidence of reoperation at 5 years (0%, 0% and 11.8%, respectively; P = 0.002).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that severe annulus-cusp mismatch is associated with higher rates of valve regurgitation and reoperation following aortic valve repair with valve-sparing aortic root replacement; however, larger studies are needed for confirmation. Preoperative computed tomography-based assessment of annulus-cusp mismatch shows promise in surgical planning and patient selection for aortic valve repair procedures.Clinical registration number4392.
Project description:ObjectivesLong-valved decellularized aortic homografts (DAH) may be used in young patients to treat aortic valve disease associated with aortic root dilatation, thereby eliminating the need for prosthetic material and anticoagulation.MethodsThirty-three male subjects in 3 equally sized cohorts were compared: patients following DAH implantation with a median age of 29 years [interquartile range (IQR) 27.5-37.5], patients post-valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR), median 44 years (IQR 31.5-49) and healthy controls, median 33 years (IQR 28-40, P = 0.228). Time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed to assess maximum blood flow velocity, pulse wave velocity, mechanical energy loss (EL), wall shear stress and flow patterns (vorticity, eccentricity, helicity) in 5 different planes of the aorta.ResultsThe mean time between surgery and cardiovascular magnetic resonance was 2.56 ± 2.0 years in DAH vs 2.67 ± 2.1 in VSARR, P = 0.500. No significant differences in maximum velocity and pulse wave velocity were found between healthy controls and DAH across all planes. Velocity in the proximal aorta was significantly higher in VSARR (182.91 ± 53.91 cm/s, P = 0.032) compared with healthy controls. EL was significantly higher in VSARR in the proximal aorta with 1.85 mW (IQR 1.39-2.95) compared with healthy controls, 1.06 mW (0.91-1.22, P = 0.016), as well as in the entire thoracic aorta. In contrast, there was no significant EL in DAH in the proximal, 1.27 m/W (0.92-1.53, P = 0.296), as well as in the thoracic aorta, 7.7 m/W (5.25-9.90, P = 0.114), compared with healthy controls. There were no significant differences in wall shear stress parameters for all 5 regions of the thoracic aorta between the 3 groups. DAH patients, however, showed more vorticity, helicity and eccentricity in the ascending aorta compared with healthy controls (P < 0.019).ConclusionsDecellularized long aortic homografts exhibit near to normal haemodynamic parameters 2.5 years postoperatively compared with healthy controls and VSARR.
Project description:This study compared long-term survival and reintervention rates between Valve-Sparing Root Replacement (VSRR, n = 244) and Aortic Root Replacement (ARR, n = 499) in 743 patients undergoing Type A acute aortic dissection (AAD), given the lack of prospective comparative data. Multivariable analysis is identifying advanced age, high Body Mass Index (BMI), Marfan syndrome, severe aortic regurgitation, bicuspid aortic valve, increased aortic root diameter, and reduced aortic cross-clamp time (ACC) as significant factors associated with ARR. After Propensity Score Matching (PSM), VSRR is showing significantly higher 5-year survival rates than ARR (80.2% vs. 64.1%, P = 0.001), validated by Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW) analysis. Reintervention rates are being found comparable, with endocarditis more prevalent in ARR and aortic regurgitation in VSRR. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients aged less than 60 years and those with a BMI greater than 24 in the VSRR group exhibited significantly improved survival probabilities compared to the ARR group. These findings support the wider utilization of valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) in appropriately selected patients, highlighting its potential advantages for suitable candidates.
Project description:BackgroundAortic root enlargement (ARE) during aortic valve replacement (AVR) mitigates prosthesis-patient mismatch, but its use has been low. Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve (VIV) as a treatment for failing bioprosthetic valves is limited by small surgical valves, renewing interest in ARE during the index AVR. This study demonstrates trends and outcomes of ARE after commercial approval of VIV in 2015.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed 2182 patients undergoing nonemergent AVR between August 2007 and December 2022. Endocarditis, aortic dissection, and concomitant root replacement or ventricular assist device placement were excluded. Trends in ARE use, valve size, and types were compared. Outcome measures included 30-day mortality and gradients and were compared between patients with and without ARE.ResultsOverall, 74 patients (3.4%) underwent ARE, 14 (1.0%) before 2015 and 60 (7.6%, P < .0001) after 2015. Use of smaller valves (19-21 mm) decreased from 372 (26.8%) before 2015 to 85 (10.7%, P < .0001) after 2015. ARE group was younger than the AVR-alone group (64 vs 68 years, P = .001) but had similar predicted risk of mortality (median, 1.7%). Both groups had comparable postoperative mean gradients (ARE: 11 vs AVR-alone: 10 mm Hg, P = .42). ARE had higher 30-day mortality (5 [7%] vs 48 [2%], P = .014); however, no difference was found in elective patients (2 of 65 [3%] vs 39 of 1898 [2%], P = .57).ConclusionsARE use has increased since commercial approval of VIV. The addition of ARE to AVR did not affect early safety in elective cases, and postoperative gradients were similar to those in patients not requiring ARE. Further studies are required to determine long-term outcomes after ARE, including VIV candidacy.