Annuloplasty for Aortic Regurgitation in Univentricular Heart on Ventricular Assist Support

Abstract

Progressive aortic regurgitation is a common complication in patients supported with continuous flow ventricular assist devices. The risk of neoaortic regurgitation is likely to be particularly high in patients with univentricular hearts owing to the lack of fibrous support for the neoaortic valve. Previously described techniques for addressing neoaortic regurgitation in this setting have required cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamping, or ligation of the neoaortic root. We present a simple technique of external partial annuloplasty of the neoaortic valve, which can be performed without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass or cross clamping.