Ascending Aorta Replacement Research Articles

Ascending Aorta Aneurysm: What is the Risk of Replacing the Aortic Root?

Background: In mildly dilated aortic root, the cost-benefit of replacing of the sinuses of Valsalva with reimplantation of thecoronary arteries or preserving them is still a matter of debate.Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze the postoperative and long-term morbidity and mortality of patients undergoingaortic root replacement versus aortic root surgery with sinuses of Valsalva preservation.Methods: Between 2002 and 2016, 426 patients underwent replacement of the ascending aorta. After excluding patients undergoingurgent procedures, genetic aortic diseases (except for bicuspid aortic valve), reoperations and surgery of the aortic arch,the cohort was made up of 259 patients. In 99 of them (38.2%) the ascending aorta was replaced, preserving the aortic root;these patients were compared with the remaining 160 (61.8%) patients who underwent replacement of the sinuses of Valsalva.Results: Patients undergoing preservation of the aortic root were older, had higher percentage of female sex, higher EuroSCOREand with greater incidence of bicuspid aortic valve and coronary artery disease. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer inthe group undergoing aortic root replacement. There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality between bothgroups (1% in the group with preservation of the aortic root vs. 3.1% for replacement of the sinuses of Valsalva, p=0.272).Multivariate analysis showed that cardiopulmonary bypass was a predictor of in-hospital mortality. Survival at 8 years wassimilar in both groups. There were no new operations due to complications in the aorta during follow-up. At multivariateanalysis, age and mitral valve disease were identified as predictors of long-term mortality.Conclusion: Replacement of the ascending aorta, either replacing the aortic root or preserving the sinuses of Valsalva, is asafe procedure, with low in-hospital mortality. Preservation of the sinuses of Valsalva is not associated with greater rate ofevents or mortality at the long-term.

Short communication: Extended-spectrum AmpC–producing Escherichia coli from milk and feces in dairy farms in Brazil

The AmpC enzyme is normally expressed constitutively in Escherichia coli, and its overproduction confers resistance to cefoxitin. A newly reported AmpC, the extended-spectrum AmpC (ESAC), is related to resistance to cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin. This enzyme presents more flexibility in the active site due to insertions, replacements, and deletions on AA sequences. Many isolates producing ESAC were reported in human clinical isolates, but E. coli ESAC producers were reported in animals only in France. The animal E. coli strains can produce this enzyme and possibly disseminate it to human and production environments. In our study, 3 strains of E. coli from milk and feces bovine samples, collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were suspected to produce ESAC. After excluding other mechanisms of resistance, the gene was sequenced to verify ESAC characteristics. These strains presented replacement of AA in omega and R2 loops, suggesting ESAC production. This is the first report to study ESAC E. coli in dairy farms in Brazil.

Pericardial Patch Augmentation Is Associated With a Higher Risk of Recurrent Aortic Insufficiency

This study assessed early and late clinical outcomes in patients who underwent aortic valve repair or an aortic valve-sparing operation and investigated predictors for failure. Of 227 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve repair or a valve-sparing operation in our department between 2004 and 2016, 81 (36%) underwent aortic root replacement with or without cusp repair, 97 (42%) ascending aorta replacement with or without cusp repair, and 49 (22%) isolated aortic valve repair. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was complete. One patient (0.4%) died in-hospital. Mean clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was 69 ± 40 months (range, 1 to 147 months) and 53 ± 40 months (range, 1 to 147 months), respectively. Fifteen patients (6.6%) died during follow-up, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 94.4%. Recurrent significant (≥3) aortic insufficiency developed in 20 patients (8.8%), 17 of whom underwent reoperation, with a 5-year freedom from reoperation rate of 88%. Predictors for recurrent significant aortic insufficiency or reoperation were greater preoperative aortic insufficiency (grade III to IV vs I to II; relative risk [RR], 1.97; p= 0.023), cusp repair (RR, 2.92; p= 0.001), higher European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (RR, 1.16; p= 0.006), and valve repair with pericardial patch augmentation (RR, 2.34; p=0.032). Aortic valve repair and valve-sparing operations can be performed with good early and late clinical outcomes. In our experience, however, the rate of recurrent aortic insufficiency was significant, especially in patients who underwent cusp augmentation with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardial patch.

Sutureless Prosthesis Implantation and Ascending Aorta Replacement Through a Ministernotomy Approach.

A significant proportion of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement have a dilated ascending aorta; presence of an ascending aorta aneurysm is viewed as a contraindication for sutureless valve implantation for the potential risk of prosthesis dislodgment. We describe our technique of sutureless prosthesis implantation and concomitant ascending aorta replacement through an upper ministernotomy. Seven patients underwent aortic valve replacement with a sutureless prosthesis and concomitant ascending aorta replacement between November 2014 and October 2016. A J-shaped upper ministernotomy was performed in all patients. Diameter of vascular graft for the replacement of the dilated ascending aorta was chosen according to the size of the selected prosthesis, to recreate a ratio between diameters of the new sinotubular junction and the aortic annulus that should be less than 1.3. Postoperatively. no patient died in hospital. No paravalvular leakage or prosthesis dislodgment was reported. Mean ± SD cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 142 ± 52 minutes and 85 ± 18 minutes, respectively. In patients undergoing aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement, sutureless valve implantation is a safe and reproducible procedure associated with good postoperative results.

Sutureless Prosthesis Implantation and Ascending Aorta Replacement through a Ministernotomy Approach

Sutureless Prosthesis Implantation and Ascending Aorta Replacement through a Ministernotomy Approach

Delayed Ascending Aorta Replacement in Blunt Chest Trauma with Aortic Injury

Ascending aortic injury after blunt chest trauma is an emergency condition that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. The authors report the case of a patient with traumatic ascending aortic injury who received ascending aorta replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass after failure of primary repair. Keywords: Aorta; Multiple trauma; Cardiopulmonary bypass

TCTAP C-162 Stent Graft Implantation for Right Innominate Artery After Replacement of Hemiarch and Ascending Aorta

TCTAP C-162 Stent Graft Implantation for Right Innominate Artery After Replacement of Hemiarch and Ascending Aorta

The aortic root does not dilate over time after replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valves

ObjectiveWhether the aortopathy associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease occurs secondary to genetic or hemodynamic factors remains controversial. In this article we describe the natural history of the aortic root in patients with bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs) after replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta. MethodsFrom 1990 to 2010, 406 patients (269 BAV, 137 TAV) underwent aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement at a single institution. Patients with aortic dissection, endocarditis, previous aortic surgery, or Marfan syndrome were excluded. All available follow-up imaging was reviewed. ResultsMean imaging follow-up was 5.5 (±5.3) years. Of all patients, 66.5% had at least 1 aortic root measurement after the index operation. Baseline aortic diameter was comparable between groups. In patients with BAV, aortic root diameter increased at a clinically negligible rate over time (0.654 mm per year; 95% confidence interval, 0.291-1.016; P < .001), similar to patients with TAV (P = .92). Mean clinical follow-up was 8.1 (±5.4) years. During follow-up, 18 patients underwent reoperation, 89% for a degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valve. Only 1 patient underwent reoperation for a primary indication of aortic aneurysmal disease, 22 years after the index operation. There were no differences in cumulative incidence rates of aortic reoperation (P = .14) between patients with BAV and TAV. ConclusionsMid-term imaging after aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement indicates that if the aortic root is not dilated at the time of surgery, the risk of enlargement over time is minimal, negating the need for prophylactic root replacement in patients with BAV or TAV.

Dual Ligand Insertion in gB and gD of Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses for Retargeting to a Producer Vero Cell Line and to Cancer Cells

ABSTRACTOncolytic viruses gain cancer specificity in several ways. Like the majority of viruses, they grow better in cancer cells that are defective in mounting the host response to viruses. Often, they are attenuated by deletion or mutation of virulence genes that counteract the host response or are naturally occurring oncolytic mutants. In contrast, retargeted viruses are not attenuated or deleted; their cancer specificity rests on a modified, specific tropism for cancer receptors. For herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based oncolytics, the detargeting-retargeting strategies employed so far were based on genetic modifications of gD. Recently, we showed that even gH or gB can serve as retargeting tools. To enable the growth of retargeted HSVs in cells that can be used for clinical-grade virus production, a double-retargeting strategy has been developed. Here we show that several sites in the N terminus of gB are suitable to harbor the 20-amino-acid (aa)-long GCN4 peptide, which readdresses HSV tropism to Vero cells expressing the artificial GCN4 receptor and thus enables virus cultivation in the producer noncancer Vero-GCN4R cell line. The gB modifications can be combined with a minimal detargeting modification in gD, consisting in the deletion of two residues, aa 30 and 38, and replacement of aa 38 with the scFv to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), for retargeting to the cancer receptor. The panel of recombinants was analyzed comparatively in terms of virus growth, cell-to-cell spread, cytotoxicity, and in vivo antitumor efficacy to define the best double-retargeting strategy.IMPORTANCE There is increasing interest in oncolytic viruses, following FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval of HSV OncovexGM-CSF, and, mainly, because they greatly boost the immune response to the tumor and can be combined with immunotherapeutic agents, particularly checkpoint inhibitors. A strategy to gain cancer specificity and avoid virus attenuation is to retarget the virus tropism to cancer-specific receptors of choice. Cultivation of fully retargeted viruses is challenging, since they require cells that express the cancer receptor. We devised a strategy for their cultivation in producer noncancer Vero cell derivatives. Here, we developed a double-retargeting strategy, based on insertion of one ligand in gB for retargeting to a Vero cell derivative and of anti-HER2 ligand in gD for cancer retargeting. These modifications were combined with a minimally destructive detargeting strategy. This study and its companion paper explain the clinical-grade cultivation of retargeted oncolytic HSVs and promote their translation to the clinic.

Results of late-onset type A aortic dissection after previous cardiac surgery: Does prior coronary artery bypass grafting affect survival?

This study aims to evaluate the results of late-onset type A aortic dissection following primary cardiac surgery and to compare the outcomes of patients with or without prior coronary artery bypass grafting. Between January 2005 and December 2015, data of 32 patients (16 males, 16 females; mean age 58.1±10.9 years; range, 45 to 73 years) who were diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection and underwent repair with a history of previous cardiac surgery at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as those with a history of prior coronary artery bypass grafting (n=16) and the patients with a previous cardiac surgery without prior coronary artery bypass grafting (n=16). Dissection of the ascending aorta occurred in 32 patients (late acute in 22 and late chronic in 10) who underwent previous cardiac surgery (aortic valve replacement in 12, mitral valve replacement in two, aortic valve replacement + coronary artery bypass grafting in two, coronary artery bypass grafting in 10, mitral valve replacement + coronary artery bypass grafting in four, and dual valve replacement in two patients). The mean time between the first operation and dissection was 4.0±1.5 years. Dissections were treated with the Bentall procedures (n=8), ascending aorta replacement (n=14), ascending aorta replacement + hemiarch replacement (n=4), ascending aorta + aortic valve replacement (n=4) and Bentall + arch replacement (n=2). In-hospital mortality (30-day mortality) was seen in five patients, and oneyear mortality rate was 21.85% (n=7). The survival rates of the all patients for primary cardiac surgery vs primary cardiac surgery + coronary artery bypass grafting were 81.25% vs 75% at one year, 75% vs 68.75% at three years,75% vs 56.25% at five years, 68.75% vs 56.25% at seven years, and 68.75% vs 56.25% at 10 years, respectively (p=0.71, CI: 95%). Type-A aortic dissections may develop after cardiac operations with or without coronary artery bypass grafting at any time, and irrespective of associated histologies, they may result in high overall in-hospital mortality. With careful planning by prompt intervention, the outcomes in redo sternotomy operations with or without coronary artery bypass grafting for aortic dissections would be consistent the results of spontaneous aortic dissections.

Correlation of structural defects in the ascending aortic wall to ultrasound parameters: benefits for decision-making process in aortic valve surgery

BackgroundHistopathological changes in the ascending aorta wall in patients with severe tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) stenosis were graded and correlated to echocardiographic parameters. Objective was to associate threshold echocardiographic values with structural defects in the ascending aorta providing a tool to improve decision-making process in cases when simultaneous aortic valve replacement (AVR) and ascending aorta replacement is considered.MethodsBiopsies from 108 TAV stenosis patients subjected to AVR were graded into three grades according to severity of aortic wall changes. Echocardiographic parameters obtained preoperatively and correlated to grade, age, gender and risk factors, were diameters of ventriculo-aortic junction (AA), sinus Valsalva (SV), sinotubular junction (STJ), the largest diameter of the visualized ascending aorta (AscA) as well as indexes: sinus Valsalva (SVI), sinotubular junction (STJI), AscA/AA and STJ/AA.ResultsTwo echocardiographic parameters portrayed grades with statistical significance: STJ (F = 5.417; p = 0.006 (p < 0.05)) and AscA (F = 3.924; p = 0.023 (p < 0.05)). By using multiple predictors in the setting of Regression analysis, statistically significant differences among grades were reached for AA, SV, STJ, AscA and SVI. With further ROC curves analysis, threshold values for different grades were recognized. Grade 2 is identified in patients with AscA > 3.3 cm, while Grade 3 is identified in patients with values of AscA > 3.5 cm, STJ > 2.9 cm and STJI > 1.ConclusionsHemodynamic stress induced by TAV stenosis leads to elastic lamellae disruption in the aortic wall. Those changes could be graded and correlated with echocardiographic parameters of the aortic root and ascending aorta, providing a tool for decision to replace ascending aorta concomitantly with AVR.

Should Sinus of Valsalva be Replaced in Patients with Dilated Ascending Aorta and Aortic Valve Diseases?

IntroductionThe aim of this study is to investigate the change in the dimension of sinus of Valsalva in patients who underwent supracoronary ascending aorta replacement with aortic valve replacement.MethodsA total of 81 patients who underwent supracoronary ascending aorta replacement with aortic valve replacement were included. Ten of 81 patients died during the follow-up. The patients were divided into three groups according to the aortic valve diseases. Group I (n=17) included patients with bicuspid valves, group II (n=30) included patients with stenotic degenerative valves, and patients with aortic regurgitation constituted group III (n=24). In preoperative and follow-up periods, the sinus of Valsalva diameter of the patients was evaluated by echocardiographic examination. The mean age was 54.1±15.1 years. Twenty-eight (34.6%) patients were female and 12 (14.8%) patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III.ResultsThere was no early mortality. Late mortality was developed in 10 (12.4%) patients, 8 (9.9%) due to non-cardiac reasons. Late follow-up was obtained in 71 patients with a mean of 60±30.1 months postoperatively. During follow-up, the increase in the diameter of the sinus of Valsalva was significant in Group I (P<0.01), while in Group II and III it was insignificant (P>0.05).ConclusionTo avoid the risks associated with sinus of Valsalva dilatation, it is reasonable to replace the sinus of Valsalva in the setting of aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement for bicuspid aortic valve with a dilated ascending aorta and relatively normal sinuses of Valsalva in young patients.

Spike in glucose levels after reperfusion during aortic surgery: assessment by continuous blood glucose monitoring using artificial endocrine pancreas

Although strict blood glucose control during cardiovascular surgery is essential to avoid postoperative complications, the various changes in glucose levels that occur during surgery have not been investigated in detail. In this study, we continuously monitored blood glucose changes during aortic surgery using the STG-55Ⓡ artificial endocrine pancreas (Nikkiso Inc., Tokyo). Between December 2015 and 2016, we performed continuous blood glucose monitoring in 22 patients (14 men and 8 women, 72 ± 11years old), who required hypothermic circulatory arrest during an ascending/aortic arch surgery, at the Jichi Medical University Hospital. Ascending aorta replacements were performed in two patients and partial/total arch replacement, in 20. All the patients required selective cerebral perfusion and hypothermic circulatory arrest (bladder temperature at 25-26°C) during distal anastomosis. Closed-loop continuous blood glucose monitoring was performed during cardiopulmonary bypass using the STG-55Ⓡ artificial endocrine pancreas (Nikkiso Co., LTD, Tokyo). Blood glucose concentrations did not increase significantly from the time of the commencement of cardiopulmonary bypass to lower body ischemia. However, they dramatically increased immediately after reperfusion following lower body ischemia, and this hyperglycemia was sustained until the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. The current study clarified the peak glucose concentration during aortic surgery. These data may contribute to the management of blood glucose levels during aortic surgery.

Novel arch fenestrated stent graft for acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection with open antegrade implantation.

The best surgical strategy for acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection (aTAAD) involving the arch remains controversial. Here, we report on the satisfactory results following aTAAD repair using a novel arch fenestrated stent graft. From December 2014 to December 2015, 42 aTAAD patients (27 male and 15 female) underwent ascending aorta replacement and fenestrated stent graft implantation. The fenestrated stent graft was implanted into the true lumen of the aortic arch and proximal descending aorta, with the fenestration opening located at the ostia of 3 head vessels in the arch. The proximal end of the stent graft was anastomosed to the distal end of the Dacron tube graft that replaced the proximal ascending aorta. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography prior to discharge and during follow-up. The average cardiopulmonary bypass duration was 213 ± 49 min, aortic cross-clamp duration was 133 ± 39 min and unilateral cerebral perfusion and lower body arrest duration was 27 ± 8 min. There were 2 in-hospital deaths due to circulation failure (mortality 4.8%). During a mean follow-up period of 7.4 ± 3.2 months, 1 patient with Behçet's disease died of aortic root pseudoaneurysm. The 39 surviving patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans at 3, 6 and 12 months, which indicated increasing false-lumen thrombosis. In aTAAD patients, the use of the novel arch fenestrated stent graft achieved excellent aortic remodelling of the aortic arch and descending aorta without any increase in the morbidity and mortality.

Replacement of calcified ascending aorta in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Aortic stenosis (AS) with an extensively calcified ascending aorta is a growing indication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) because aortic manipulation during surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is unsafe in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of AVR plus ascending aorta replacement (AAR) in patients with severe AS and a heavily calcified ascending aorta. From 2004 to 2014, a total of 32 patients with severe AS and extensive aortic calcification underwent concomitant first-time AVR and AAR (AVR + AAR). The mean patient age was 74±7 (range, 59-87) years, and 7 (22%) patients were octogenarians. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 21.4%±19.0% (range, 3.3-68.2%). Arterial cannulae were placed at the ascending aorta (n=26, 81%), aortic arch (n=5, 16%), or axillary artery (n=1, 3%). The aorta was not clamped, and circulatory arrest was used in all patients. One-to-many (1:n) propensity score matching between the study population (AVR + AAR, n=29) and control group (isolated AVR for severe AS, n=433) was performed. There was no early mortality in the study population. Postoperative neurologic complications included a minor stroke, which resolved without sequelae at discharge, and a transient ischemic attack. The 5-year survival rate was 83%±9%. In the propensity score-matched comparison, 5-year survival was not significantly different between groups; 81%±10% in the AVR + AAR group vs. 87%±2% in the isolated AVR group (P=0.950). Surgical AVR with AAR in AS patients with calcified ascending aortas led to acceptable early and late outcomes. Although the applications for TAVI are growing, a surgical approach may be an alternative option for relatively younger patients with severely calcified aorta.

Aortic Valve Replacement With Perceval Bioprosthesis: Single-Center Experience With 617 Implants

This study describes the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in a large single-center cohort of patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a sutureless Perceval (LivaNova, Milan, Italy) aortic bioprosthesis. Between March 2011 and December 2015, 617 patients underwent AVR with a Perceval bioprosthesis. The mean age was 76 ± 7 years, 388 patients were female (63%), and the mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II was 6.2% ± 5.4%. Concomitant procedures were mitral valve surgery (n= 74), tricuspid valve repair (n= 22), coronary artery bypass grafting (n= 42), myectomy (n= 3), and ascending aorta replacement (n= 2). The 30-day mortality rate was 1.9% (12 of 617). A total of 475 of 516 (92%) patients who had isolated AVR underwent minimally invasive surgery with an upper ministernotomy (n= 81) or a right anterior minithoracotomy (n= 394) approach. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 81.7 ± 29.1 minutes and 50.5 ± 19.8 minutes for isolated AVR and 139.7 ± 51.5 minutes and 91.5 ± 29.5 minutes for combined procedures, respectively. At mean follow-up of 16.3 months (range, 0 to 51.9 months), the survival rate was 91.3%, the rate of freedom from reoperation was 99%, and the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 11.9 ± 5.4 mm Hg. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 53.6% ± 8.4% to 54.5% ± 4.8% (p= 0.40), left ventricular mass decreased from 146.5 to 112.6 g/m2 (p < 0.001), and moderate paravalvular leakage occurred in 3 patients without hemolysis who did not require any treatment. AVR with the Perceval bioprosthesis is associated with low mortality rates and excellent hemodynamic performance. Sutureless technology may reduce operative times, especially in combined procedures, and may make minimally invasive AVR more easily reproducible.

Endovascular treatment of non-dissected ascending aorta disease: a systematic review

Severe ascending aorta disease includes aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms (ascending aorta pseudoaneurysms), penetrating aortic ulcers and Type A aortic dissections. Surgical replacement of the aortic root, ascending aorta or aortic arch is the common treatment for severe ascending aortic disease involving the root, the ascending aorta and/or the arch. Despite good surgical results, there is still a risk for morbidity and mortality following surgery for ascending aorta replacement when elderly patients or patients at high risk for surgery are concerned. Less invasive endovascular treatments for ascending aorta repair are under evaluation, and some reports appeared in the available literature in the last decade. However, clinical series or randomized studies are not yet available, and the use of these techniques is still questionable. In this study, we analysed the outcomes of reported cases of endovascular treatment for ascending aorta disease, excluding Type A aortic dissection. We reviewed reports published until February 2017, and we evaluated the employed technology, the devices, the procedural steps and the outcomes. A total of 26 articles reported 67 patients (mean age 65 ± 17 years) who received endovascular treatment for ascending aorta disease: aneurysms, ascending aorta pseudoaneurysms, penetrating aortic ulcers, intramural haematoma, thrombosis, iatrogenic coarctation and aortic rupture. Complications included endoleak (9 cases), stroke (3 cases), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (1 case) and splenic infarction (1 case). Three patients required conversion to open surgery, and 1 patient underwent endovascular reintervention. Early mortality was 2.9%. As an alternative treatment for ascending aorta disease in selected high-risk patients, the endovascular repair will gain popularity, but further analysis is required.

Longer-term results, z scores, and decision nomograms for treatment of the ascending aorta in 1693 bicuspid aortic valve operations

ObjectiveThis study aims to fine-tune the decision making for ascending aorta treatment in bicuspid aortic valve surgery. MethodsA total of 1693 patients with a primary indication for aortic valve surgery were investigated retrospectively with respect to a multifactorial decision-making policy including the z score and the clinical outcome in relation to different techniques for ascending aorta treatment (no intervention n = 1116; intervention n = 577 either by ascending aorta replacement n = 404 or aortoplasty n = 173). Follow-up was 99.5% complete (mean 7.0 ± 4.4 years, range 0-17.7 years, 11,895 patient-years). ResultsHospital mortality was 1.2% for the no-intervention group and 0.9% for the intervention group and was not different between groups (P = .629). Survival compared with the adjusted normal population was lower for both groups (no intervention: P < .001) but not by such a great margin for the intervention group (P = .27). Determinants for death were not related to the ascending aorta treatment. Aortoplasty led to significantly more reoperations (P = .002). The z score thresholds for intervention on the ascending aorta were greater for younger patients, intervention was more liberal in young age, depicted in nomograms. ConclusionsIn our study, ascending aorta intervention could be performed with low hospital mortality and obviously did not add to the overall mortality compared with no intervention. Ascending aorta replacement was the most definite intervention. The multifactorial decision for ascending aorta intervention including the z score of the ascending aorta was more liberal in younger patients compared to the simple aortic size guidelines and provided excellent results. However, generalizability needs further data.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Bovine Aortic Arch and early Atherosclerosis: When one plus one equals three

Despite that even normally functioning bicuspid aortic valves can have abnormal transvalvular-flow patterns, resulting in regional increases in wall shear stress and aortic dilatation, most often are preserved during ascending aorta replacement.

Should sinus of Valsalva be preserved in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and aortic dilation?

It is recommended that dilated ascending aortas (≥45 mm) should be replaced at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). The risk of progressive sinus of Valsalva dilatation after AVR and ascending aorta replacement is less clear. We identified 156 patients (age 56.2±10.8 years, 46 females) who underwent AVR and ascending aorta replacement in our institution from 2010-2014, 124 (79%) of whom had BAV. Aortic root and ascending aorta sizes were determined from preoperative and the most recent echocardiograms. The mean follow-up time was 34.4±22.3 months, and 97% of patients completed the follow-up. The operative mortality rate was 1.3%. During a follow-up of up to 75.2 months, there were no late reoperations for aortic root dissection or rupture. The mean preoperative aortic root diameters in the tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and BAV groups were 42.2±5.4 and 37.5±5.4 mm, respectively (P=0.69). After operation, most of the patients had reduced aortic root sizes, as the mean postoperative root diameters in the TAV and BAV groups were 39.6±5.2 and 35.7±5.1 mm, respectively (P=0.99). To avoid the risks associated with aortic root replacement, it is reasonable to spare the aortic roots in the setting of AVR and ascending aorta replacement for BAV with a dilated ascending aorta and relatively normal sinuses of Valsalva.