The effects of severe aortic stenosis and high pulmonary artery pressure on aortic valve replacement

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary hypertension development in pure severe aortic stenosis is a situation that affects mortality and morbidity. Material and Methods: Data from files of 31 patients with systolic pulmonary artery pressure over 50 mm Hg and with pure severe aortic stenosis, and underwent aortic valve replacement in our clinic were examined retrospectively. Results: Preoperative effort capacities of the patients were evaluated as follows according to NYHA; 4 patients class 1-2, 16 patients class 3, and 11 patients class 4. Twenty-five metal, and 6 biologic aortic valves were used. Postoperative hospital mortality was recorded as 12% with 4 patients. Patients were reevaluated on the postoperative 2nd and 12th months. Pulmonary arterial pressure of the patients was measured using echocardiography. Preoperative average pulmonary artery systolic pressure was measured as 55 ± 3 mmHg. The average pressure was measured as 41 ± 3 mmHg on the 2nd, and as 37.8 ± 4 mmHg on the 12th month. The effort capacity evaluation in the postoperative 2nd month was as follows: 11 patients class 1-2, 12 patients class 3, and 4 patients class 4. The effort capacity evaluation conducted in the 12th month was: 14 patients were class 1-2, 10 patients were class 3, and 2 patients were class 4. During the follow-up 1 year, survival rate of the patients was determined as 83.8% average, 5 year survival rate was determined as 61.5%. Conclusion: We believe that AVR may be performed in severe aortic stenosis cases with high pulmonary pressure with acceptable ortality, leading to a better quality and longer life.