Ozaki procedure

Abstract

Background and aim Mechanical heart valves require lifelong anticoagulation and therefore predispose to hemorrhagic events. Ozaki developed their aortic valve (AV) reconstruction technique at Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, where they standardized the use of glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium to perform a trileaflet aortic valve. Therefore, it achieves maximum effective orifice area (EOA) and low transvalvular gradients. The current study aimed to assess the short-term Ozaki procedure in our center. Patients and methods A total of 86 patients were enrolled in the current study; group A included 43 patients who had undergone AVR using a biological aortic valve prosthesis, and group B included 43 patients who had undergone aortic valve replacement (AVR) using the Ozaki procedure. Results Both groups had comparable findings either at baseline, perioperative data, or during the follow-up. During follow-up either in the 3rd or 6th month both groups had insignificant differences. Renal dysfunction was reported in five (11.6%) patients of the biological valve group and two patients of the Ozaki group. Endocarditis was developed in only two patients with biological valves. Mild aortic regurgitation was noticed in one patient in the 3rd month and two patients in the 6th month in the case of the Ozaki procedure, while only one patient in the biological valve group developed mild AR in the 6th month of follow-up. Nearly all patients had improved NYHA classes in both groups. No patient in the Ozaki group was converted to AVR. Conclusion We have described our initial experience with the Ozaki procedure in adults. The current study reported promising results for the Ozaki procedure. Yet, multiple future studies in multiple centers are warranted to draw a firm conclusion and support our findings.