Aortic Cusp Prolapse Research Articles

Aortic insufficiency due to ventricular septal defect (Laubry–Pezzi syndrome)

A 15-year-old boy showed progressive aortic valve regurgitation during follow-up of supracristal ventricular septal defect. This anatomic arrangement is consistent with the Laubry-Pezzi syndrome in which prolapse of a non-coronary aortic valve cusp due to Venturi's effect results in progressive aortic valve insufficiency.

Editorial Comment: Remodelling of the sinotubular junction to correct aortic insufficiency

‘Life is short, the art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgement difficult’ Hippocrates In this issue of the Journal, Schafers’ group from the University Hospital of Saarland, Germany has another important contribution on operative procedures to preserve the aortic valve in patients with aortic insufficiency (AI) [1]. From a cohort of 1094 patients who had conservative operations on the aortic valve at that institution, the authors examined the records of a cohort of 144 patients who had moderate or severe AI and dilated sinotubular junction (STJ). The operation consisted in adjusting the diameter of the STJ by replacement of the ascending aorta with a tubular Dacron graft of appropriate diameter and correcting aortic cusp prolapse, which was present in all but four patients. The cusp prolapse was repaired by plication of its central portion or by using a pericardial patch to reinforce or augment the cusp. In addition, reduction in the aorto-ventricular junction (AVJ) was performed by sub-commissural plication in 59 patients and by a circular suture with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene suture in 23. Most patients had congenital aortic valve disease (41% bicuspid and 19% unicuspid aortic valve). They analysed the entire cohort and the subgroups of patients with congenital aortic valve disease and with tricuspid aortic valve. As with any aortic valve preserving technique in the setting of

607 Aortic cusp prolapse repair: Effect of surgical technique on leaflet dynamics and stress

Cusp prolapse correction is frequently required during aortic valve sparing and repair surgery. While a number of surgical techniques have been proposed to correct cusp prolapse, their effects on leaflet dynamics and stress remain unknown. We compared three surgical techniques for varying degrees of cusp prolapse correction and examined their effects on leaflet dynamics and stress.

Aortic Valve Repair for Leaflet Prolapse

In the setting of aortic regurgitation caused by leaflet prolapse, aortic valve replacement has traditionally been the recommended treatment. However, the advent of effective and durable leaflet repair techniques has enabled the repair of the regurgitant aortic valve. As for the mitral valve, repair has the potential to reduce the incidence of prosthesis-related complications including endocarditis, thromboembolism, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, and reoperation. In this article, we describe our systematic approach to the assessment and repair of aortic leaflet prolapse.

Half-Leaflet Suspension With a Thin Gore-Tex Suture for Aortic Leaflet Prolapse

The treatment of aortic root dilatation accompanied by a leaking valve requires a multimodal approach involving root reimplantation or remodeling with tailoring of the sinotubular junction or valvular apparatus, or both. We report a patient with annuloaortic ectasia with a leaking valve that was successfully treated by performing aortic valve repair and root reimplantation. The operation was performed by placing a thin Gore-Tex CV7 suture (W. L. Gore and Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ) halfway along the prolapsed right coronary leaflet to suspend the leaflet. By using this surgical technique, we easily repaired the prolapsed leaflet by meticulously adjusting the length of the edge of the diseased leaflet.

Assessment and repair of aortic valve cusp prolapse: Implications for valve-sparing procedures

Cusp prolapse causing aortic insufficiency is associated with unique echocardiographic, clinical, and surgical features. Recognition and appropriate surgical repair of this pathologic condition can not only treat affected patients but also improve results of aortic valve-sparing procedures, for which pre-existing or induced cusp prolapse is an important cause of failure. Of 428 patients undergoing aortic valve repair, 195 (46%) were treated for cusp prolapse, and 111 (57%) of those had trileaflet aortic valve and make up this cohort. Cusp disease was the sole mechanism for aortic insufficiency (isolated group) in 50 patients whereas aortic dilatation was contributory in 61 (associated group). In total, 144 cusps were repaired in 111 patients. Preoperative echocardiograms, intraoperative findings, and clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were reviewed. On preoperative echocardiography, presence of an eccentric aortic insufficiency jet, regardless of severity, had 92% sensitivity and 96% specificity for the detection of single cusp prolapse. A transverse fibrous band was characteristically identified on the prolapsing cusp (sensitivity 57%; specificity 92%), correctly localizing a prolapsing cusp in all cases. Freedom from aortic valve reoperation at 8 years was 100% in the isolated group and 93% ± 5% in the associated group (p = 0.33). Freedom from recurrent aortic insufficiency (>2+) at 5 years was 90% ± 5% in the isolated and 85% ± 8% in the associated group (P = .54). The choice of surgical technique did not affect aortic insufficiency recurrence at follow-up (P = .6). Recognition and repair of isolated aortic cusp prolapse provides durable midterm outcome. An eccentric aortic insufficiency jet and a fibrous band can aid in the diagnosis and localization of cusp prolapse associated with ascending aortic disease and may help to improve results of aortic valve-sparing procedures.

Repair of regurgitant bicuspid aortic valves: A systematic approach

Patients with bicuspid aortic valves can present with aortic insufficiency caused by cusp disease or the aortic root pathology. We present our 13-year experience with a functional and systematic approach to bicuspid aortic valve repair. Between 1995 and 2008, 122 consecutive patients (mean age, 44 +/- 11 years) with bicuspid aortic valves underwent non-emergency valve repair for isolated aortic insufficiency (43%), aortic root dilatation (14%), or both (43%). Preoperative echocardiography identified aortic dilatation (n = 75), cusp prolapse (n = 96), and cusp restriction (n = 45) as mechanisms of aortic insufficiency. Raphé repair (n = 98) was performed by shaving (21%) or resection with primary closure (60%) or pericardial patch (18%). Functional aortic annuloplasty was performed using subcommissural annuloplasty (n = 51), ascending aortic replacement (n = 17), or aortic root replacement (n = 54) using a reimplantation (76%) or remodeling technique (24%). There was no operative mortality. Five patients underwent early aortic valve reoperation (3 re-repairs). At discharge, 93% of patients had aortic insufficiency grade 0/1 and 7% of patients had grade 2. Seven additional patients underwent aortic valve reoperation during follow-up (2 re-repairs). Overall survival was 97% +/- 3% at 8 years. At 5 and 8 years follow-up, freedom from aortic valve reoperation was 94% +/- 2% and 83% +/- 5%, respectively, and freedom from aortic valve replacement was 96% +/- 2% and 90% +/- 5%, respectively. Freedom from recurrent aortic insufficiency (>2+) was 94% +/- 3% at 5 years. Freedom from thromboembolism and bleeding was 96% +/- 2% at 8 years. A systematic approach to bicuspid aortic valve repair yields good early and midterm results. Repair of bicuspid valves for aortic insufficiency is a feasible and attractive alternative to mechanical valve replacement in young patients.

Current Expectations for Surgical Repair of Isolated Ventricular Septal Defects

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most commonly recognized congenital heart defect. With the development of device closure for intracardiac defects, we sought to evaluate current expectations for surgical closure of isolated VSD. Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2006, 215 patients underwent isolated VSD repair at a median age of 10 months (range, 20 days to 18 years) and a median weight of 7 kg (range, 2 to 66 kg). The following VSD types were found: 172 perimembranous (80%), 28 supracristal (13%), 6 inlet (3%), and 9 muscular (4%). One hundred eight patients (50%) had evidence of congestive heart failure or failure to thrive preoperatively. Thirty-one patients (14%) had aortic valve cusp prolapse, and 63 (29%) had genetic abnormalities. Incidence of significant postoperative complications was extremely low. No patient underwent reoperation for a residual VSD. None had complete heart block. One operative mortality (0.5%) and 2 late deaths (0.9%) occurred. Median postoperative hospital length of stay was 5 days (range, 2 to 187 days). In the immediate postoperative period, 6 patients (2.8%) required reoperation. No patients were discharged on antiarrhythmic agents, had complete heart block, or required permanent pacing. At mean follow-up of 2.1 +/- 2.0 years, 99.5% (211 of 212) of patients were asymptomatic from a cardiac standpoint. None exhibited greater than mild new-onset tricuspid valve regurgitation. No aortic valve injuries occurred. Surgical closure of isolated VSD is a safe, effective therapy. Risk of death, complete heart block, and reoperation is minimal. As new technologies for VSD closure evolve, results such as these should be considered when evaluating patients, choosing therapeutic options, and counseling families.

Pulmonary Vascular Protective Mechanisms in Adult Patients with an Isolated Large Ventricular Septal Defect: A 21‐Year Experience

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are one of the most common congenital heart defects in adults. In adult patients with an anatomically large VSD and relatively preserved pulmonary vascular system, several pulmonary flow-limiting cardiac morphologic alterations (PFMA) are encountered. Ninety-eight male patients (mean age 22.5 +/- 2 years) operated for an anatomically large VSD in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. PFMA in patients with an anatomically large but functionally mild-to-moderate VSD (when ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow (Q(p)/Q(s)) < 2.2 and ratio of pulmonary to systemic vascular resistance (R(p)/R(s)) < 0.3) were recorded. Thirty patients (31.2%) revealed a mild-to-moderate VSD in functional severity. Five PFMA were encountered in these patients: (1) ostium (os) infundibulum (n = 10, 33.3%), (2) aneurysm of the membranous septum (AMS) (n = 10, 33.3%), (3) systolic bulging of the conal septum toward the right ventricular outflow tract (n = 6, 20%), (4) prolapse of the aortic cusps (n = 2, 6.7%), and (5) attachment of the tricuspid septal leaflet to the septal crest (n = 2, 6.7%). Double-chambered right ventricle was encountered in four patients with os infundibulum and classic tetralogy-type septal malalignment in one patient with aortic cusp prolapse. Concurrent to VSD repair, resection of the os infundibulum and the AMS and aortic valve repair were performed. Presence of a large VSD and relatively preserved pulmonary vascular system in adults is associated with several PFMA. Preoperative awareness and concurrent surgical treatment of these alterations seem to be crucial to improve the expected benefit of surgical repair of VSD in this subgroup of the patients.

Comprehensive assessment of the severity and mechanism of aortic regurgitation using multidetector CT and MR

Recent studies have suggested that both cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can quantify aortic regurgitation (AR) by planimetry of the anatomical regurgitant orifice (ARO). However, this measurement was not compared with quantitative assessment of AR such as the effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) by proximal isosurface area (PISA) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or phase contrast MR. In 42 patients (34 men, age 54 +/- 11 years) we compared planimetered ARO by MDCT and MR with ERO and regurgitant volume by PISA TTE and phase contrast MR. ARO by MDCT (r = 0.87, p < 0.001) and MR (r = 0.81, p < 0.001) correlated highly with ERO by TTE. However, ARO by MDCT (27 +/- 15 mm(2), p < 0.001), but not by MR (23 +/- 13 mm(2), p = 0.58), were larger than PISA ERO (22 +/- 11 mm(2)). ARO by MDCT (r = 0.78, p < 0.001; r = 0.85, p < 0.001) and MR (r = 0.85, p < 0.001; r = 0.87 p < 0.001) correlated well with regurgitant volume by PISA and phase contrast MR. Both MDCT (small ka, Cyrillic = 0.80, p < 0.001) and MR (small ka, Cyrillic = 0.84, p < 0.001) demonstrated excellent agreement in correctly assessing the mechanisms of AR, i.e. aortic root dilatation (type I), cusp prolapse (type II) and restrictive cusp motion (type III), using surgical inspection as a reference. Measurement of ARO by both MDCT and MR allows accurate quantitative assessment of AR. Both techniques can also accurately determine the mechanism of AR.

Right Aortic Arch With Aberrant Left Innominate Artery

Two children referred for cardiac imaging were found to have an unusual form of a vascular ring. The first patient was an asymptomatic 10-year-old girl with a membranous ventricular septal defect, prolapse of the right coronary aortic cusp, and mild aortic regurgitation. Her past history was notable for gastroesophageal reflux disease as an infant, which had prompted a barium swallow at a few months of age demonstrating a posterior compression defect on the esophagus. Detailed imaging of the thoracic vasculature was not pursued at the time given the lack of respiratory symptoms and resolution of her reflux. She was now referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to quantify the degree of left-to-right shunt, aortic regurgitation, and left ventricular dilation. Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated a small membranous ventricular septal defect with pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio of 1.2, mild aortic regurgitation, and a mildly dilated left ventricle with normal systolic function. A right aortic arch was incidentally detected with branches arising in the following order: proximal to distal: right common carotid artery, right subclavian artery, and left innominate artery. The left innominate artery originated from a …

A simple method for the quantification and correction of aortic cusp prolapse by means of free margin plication

From the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium. Disclosures: None. Received for publication Feb 19, 2009; revisions received April 8, 2009; accepted for publication April 29, 2009; available ahead of print June 29, 2009. Address for reprints: Munir Boodhwani, MD, MMSc, Service de Chirurgie Cardiovasculaire et Thoracique, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc UCL 90, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Brussels B-1200, Belgium (E-mail: mboodhwani@ottawaheart.ca). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;139:1075-7 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2010 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2009.04.037

Basal cusp enlargement for repair of aortic valve insufficiency

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic results after aortic valve reconstruction with a novel surgical technique consisting of basal cusp enlargement with an autologous pericardial patch. Between December 2005 and June 2008, a total of 106 consecutive patients underwent elective valve-sparing aortic root repair at Cardiovascular Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany. Fifty-nine patients required additional procedures on the aortic cusps; among them, in 10 cases basal cusp enlargement was used for restoration of coaptation area. All these patients had an ascending aortic aneurysm combined with aortic insufficiency, which was severe (4+) in 2 cases and moderate to severe (3+) in 4. The root repair was performed with valve reimplantation (David technique) in 1 case and the author's own single-patch technique in the other 9. Partial and total arch replacements were performed in 3 and 1 cases, respectively. The postoperative echocardiography at discharge showed no aortic regurgitation in 7 cases and trivial regurgitation in 3. The average coaptation height of the leaflets was 9.9 + or - 0.6 mm, and the mean gradient across the valve was 5.4 + or - 1.9 mm Hg. At follow-up as late as 31 months, all patients were alive with echocardiographic findings unchanged from the early postoperative examinations. The technique presented here allows an individualized reconstruction of the aortic cusps, leading to considerable improvement in coaptation area, in patients who have aortic leaflet prolapse or restriction caused by complex aortic root and valve disease.

Basal cusp enlargement for repair of aortic valve insufficiency

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic results after aortic valve reconstruction with a novel surgical technique consisting of basal cusp enlargement with an autologous pericardial patch. Methods Between December 2005 and June 2008, a total of 106 consecutive patients underwent elective valve-sparing aortic root repair at Cardiovascular Clinic, Bad Neustadt, Germany. Fifty-nine patients required additional procedures on the aortic cusps; among them, in 10 cases basal cusp enlargement was used for restoration of coaptation area. All these patients had an ascending aortic aneurysm combined with aortic insufficiency, which was severe (4+) in 2 cases and moderate to severe (3+) in 4. The root repair was performed with valve reimplantation (David technique) in 1 case and the author's own single-patch technique in the other 9. Partial and total arch replacements were performed in 3 and 1 cases, respectively. Results The postoperative echocardiography at discharge showed no aortic regurgitation in 7 cases and trivial regurgitation in 3. The average coaptation height of the leaflets was 9.9 ± 0.6 mm, and the mean gradient across the valve was 5.4 ± 1.9 mm Hg. At follow-up as late as 31 months, all patients were alive with echocardiographic findings unchanged from the early postoperative examinations. Conclusions The technique presented here allows an individualized reconstruction of the aortic cusps, leading to considerable improvement in coaptation area, in patients who have aortic leaflet prolapse or restriction caused by complex aortic root and valve disease.

Repair of aortic valve cusp prolapse

Aortic valve preservation and repair is emerging as a feasible and attractive alternative to aortic valve replacement in young patients with aortic valve insufficiency. Cusp pathology requiring repair is present in up to 50% of patients undergoing aortic valve repair or valve preserving surgery and may occur in isolation or in conjunction with ascending aortic disease. Diagnosis of cusp prolapse can usually be made on preoperative echocardiography and is confirmed on surgical inspection. Techniques available for the correction of cusp prolapse in a trileaflet aortic valve include free margin plication, and free-margin resuspension. These techniques can be used alone or in combination and both provide stable mid-term results. Choice of technique may, therefore, be tailored to the cusp pathology encountered.

Repair of aortic leaflet prolapse: a ten-year experience☆

Leaflet plication (PL), triangular resection (TR), resuspension with running suture of Gore-Tex (GTx) and extension with autologous pericardial patch (PP) are different techniques to repair aortic leaflet prolapse (LP) for aortic insufficiency (AI). In this study, we report and compare the early and mid-term results of these techniques for aortic valve repair. From 1996 to 2006, 298 patients underwent elective aortic valve (AV) repair. In 146 of them, prolapse of one (n=72) or more than one leaflet (n=74) was found. LP was defined either as a longer or lower leaflet free margin compared to the other leaflet(s) or a relatively low coaptation level of all leaflets. When leaflet tissues were of good quality (thin and pliable), prolapse was treated by GTx (n=39), PL (n=25) or GTx+PL (n=23). When leaflet tissues were of poor quality (thickened, calcified), prolapse was treated by TR or PP (n=13) or TR or PP+GTx (n=47). There was no hospital mortality. During the initial hospitalization two patients required reoperation for recurrent AI and one for aorto-right ventricular fistula; of them, two were re-repaired. Median follow-up was 35 months (range 9-136). Three patients needed late reoperation for recurrent AI. At 4 years, overall survival was 99+/-1% and freedom from reoperation and from recurrent AI (grade >2) was 94+/-5% and 91+/-7% respectively. Freedom from recurrent AI was similar in patients having one versus more than one LP repair (88+/-11% vs 92+/-8%, p=0.2) and among the different techniques used to repair leaflet of good quality (PL: 95+/-8% vs GTx: 83+/-18% vs PL+GTx: 100%; p=0.37). When leaflet resection was needed, the addition of GTx significantly reduced the recurrence of AI (TR or PP: 82+/-18% vs TR or PP+GTx: 97+/-4%; p=0.026). Leaflet plication and Gore-Tex resuspension are both effective and durable techniques for aortic leaflet prolapse repair. The addition of Gore-Tex to triangular resection and pericardial patch repair techniques is efficient to reinforce the suture line and to improve the outcome of the repair. Multiple leaflet prolapse is not a prohibitive factor for successful repair even in the absence of a clear reference level such as a normal leaflet, as long as normal anatomical coaptation is achieved.

Implantation of Gore-Tex Chordae on Aortic Valve Leaflet to Treat Prolapse Using “The Chordae Technique”: Surgical Aspects and Clinical Results

Repair of prolapsed aortic valve leaflets has been considered a challenging technique for cardiac surgeons. In this paper we describe our surgical approach, "the chordae technique." It consists of the correction of aortic cusp prolapse by shortening the free margin length and of an adjustment of the leaflets coaptation height by anchoring the prolapsing cusp to the aortic wall at the sinotubular junction level. Between February 2003 and December 2006, 26 patients with one or more prolapsed aortic leaflets underwent surgical repair using the new approach. The mean age of patients was 55 +/- 10 years. There were 10 (38.5%) patients with grade II aortic valve regurgitation, 4 (15.5%) with grade III, and 12 (46%) with grade IV. Twelve patients had a concomitant aortic root aneurysm requiring surgical treatment. There were 22 patients with tricuspid aortic valve, and 4 were bicuspid. No in-hospital mortality occurred. The mean in-hospital stay was 8 +/- 2 days. The mean clinical follow-up was 14 +/- 8 months (range, 4 to 36 months). At follow-up, there were 4 (15.5%) patients with trivial aortic valve regurgitation and 22 (84.5%) patients without aortic valve regurgitation. All patients were free from aortic valve reoperation and free from cardiac and thromboembolism events. In patients with aortic valve regurgitation and cusp prolapse, functional aortic annulus stabilization and the use of the central chordae allows the correction of cusp prolapse and stabilizes the valve repair at follow-up, avoiding a repeat prolapse. We believe that this approach might represent a valuable and safe technique although long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Invited Commentary

Invited Commentary

Concomitant Traumatic Aortic Valve and Coronary Artery Injury

A 79-year-old man, who had sustained nonpenetrating chest trauma 1 month previously, was admitted for dyspnea. Echocardiography demonstrated prolapse of the noncoronary aortic cusp with severe regurgitation. Aortography showed no intimal flap in the ascending aorta. Coronary arteriography showed dissection extending from the left main trunk to the proximal circumflex artery. At surgery, no abnormalities were found in the aortic wall or around the left coronary ostium. Avulsion of the commissure between the right coronary cusp and the noncoronary cusp from its aortic wall attachment was detected. Aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting were performed.

Ventricular Septal Defect Closure in Right Coronary Cusp Prolapse and Aortic Regurgitation Complicating VSD in the Outlet Septum: Which Treatment is Most Appropriate?

There is currently not a standardized technique for the sizing and shaping of surgical closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) patch in patients with right coronary aortic cusp prolapse and aortic regurgitation (AR) complicating VSD in the outlet septum. Forty-six VSD patients who had aortic valve prolapse were divided into groups DC (direct closure, n=19), and SPC (small patch closure, n=27). Preoperative and postoperative echocardiography with Doppler color flow interrogation was performed on all patients. In the DC group, among seven patients who had aortic valve prolapse but no AR preoperative, one patient developed AR during postoperative follow-up period. In the remaining 12 patients who had mild AR associated with aortic valve prolapse prior to the procedure, AR was diminished in four and unchanged in six patients. However, AR was aggravated in two patients who required further operations for AV repair or replacement. In the SPC group, among the eight patients who had no preoperative AR, AR progressed in one patient postoperatively. In the remaining 19 patients who had mild AR, AR was diminished in 15 and unchanged in four. The outcome from the operative procedure was significantly better in the SPC group than DC group with mild preoperative AR (chi(2)=7.82; P<0.05). Small patch closure for this type of VSD is safer and more reliable in improving mild AR than that of direct closure, especially in patients with mild AR.