Narrow Aortic Root Research Articles

Results of surgical treatment of aortic stenosis in patients with a narrow aortic root after Ozaki surgery and bioprosthetics: A retrospective single-center study

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) itself is a common disease in patients of older populations, and its combination with a narrow aortic root puts the surgeon in front of choosing the most optimal option. The advantages of Ozaki's operation include hemodynamics close to the native aortic valve (AV) and the absence of the need for lifelong anticoagulant therapy. AIM: To evaluate the hospital and long-term results of surgical treatment of patients with AS and a narrow fibrous ring who underwent Ozaki surgery or AV prosthetics with a biological prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 836 isolated Ozaki operations or combined interventions of this kind were performed at the Federal Center for Cardiovascular Surgery (Penza). This retrospective single-center study included 150 patients with critical AC (effective opening area ≤1 cm2) in whose surgical treatment tactics Ozaki surgery or prosthetics with a biological prosthesis were used. RESULTS: In the early postoperative period, group 1 patients had significantly lower values of the average and maximum gradients on the aortic valve and a larger area of the effective opening of the aortic valve. Also, in group 1 patients, the postoperative period of stay in intensive care is significantly higher, which is a consequence of the longer duration of the operation, the time of artificial circulation and myocardial ischemia. Long-term mortality is higher in the group with prosthetics of AV (Log Rank=0.006). Freedom from re-operation according to the analysis, there was no significant difference between the groups (Log Rank=0.226). CONCLUSION: Ozaki surgery demonstrates the best hemodynamic characteristics on AV in comparison with a biological prosthesis in patients with a narrow fibrous ring of AV in the early and long-term follow-up periods.

MICROBUBBLE FORMATION FOLLOWING MECHANICAL SUPPORT WITH IMPELLA CP PLACEMENT IN PATIENT WITH NARROW AORTIC ROOT

MICROBUBBLE FORMATION FOLLOWING MECHANICAL SUPPORT WITH IMPELLA CP PLACEMENT IN PATIENT WITH NARROW AORTIC ROOT

Хирургическое лечение клапанного аортального стеноза в сочетании с узким корнем аорты. Место задней аортопластики у взрослых. Обзор потребности в этой операции, техник ее выполнения и нашего опыта

Aim: to describe the current state of the problem of surgical expansion of the aortic root during aortic valve replacement. Aortic valve replacement is a radical operation aimed at reducing the symptoms of chronic heart failure, reducing left ventricular overload, regressing its hypertrophy, and thereby increasing the quality and life expectancy of the patient. For the greatest success of the operation, the replacement should be made with the appropriate valve size suitable for the particular patient. Materials and methods. The latest literature data on the place of surgical expansion of the aortic root in the problem of treating aortic stenosis were studied. The own experience of these operations during the implantation of mechanical and biological prostheses in the aortic position in the practice of the cardiosurgical department of the Belgorod Regional Clinical Hospital is presented. Results. The study is devoted to the actual problem of choosing the right size of the prosthesis, the frequency of additional surgical procedures for its placement. Many studies have established an association between prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) and surgical outcome. The association of prosthesis-patient mismatch with long-term survival is inverse, although sometimes reported as ambiguous. We reviewed the literature and our experience with the surgical management of narrow aortic root situations to determine the incidence of PPM and the need for an additional surgical procedure of posterior aortoplasty to accommodate the appropriate size of the prosthesis. The results of modern meta-analyses, multicenter studies and limited series of operations presented in the literature are reviewed. The experience of the cardiosurgical department of the Belgorod Regional Clinical Hospital for the period 01.01.2015-30.04.2023 in aortic valve replacement with a small size of the aortic ring (17-20 mm) is presented. The study material consisted of 303 patients. As prosthesis-patient mismatch, we defined all cases of posterior aortoplasty with implantation of an appropriately sized aortic prosthesis. According to modern studies, the incidence of prosthesis-patient mismatch in aortic valve replacement without aortic root plasty is 11-33%. The frequency of posterior aortoplasty in adults is, according to different authors, 5-40%. Our experience has shown that the situation of PPM, which required aortic plasty, occurred in 14.8% of cases of implantation of stented biological prostheses, in 17.3% of cases of implantation of mechanical bicuspid prostheses. In general, on average, aortic plasty was performed in 15.8% of cases. Prosthetic-patient mismatch in aortic valve replacement occurs at a relatively constant rate. Posterior aortoplasty allows implanting the calculated size of the prosthesis and avoiding this problem. Conclusion. Surgery to patch the aortic root to accommodate an adequately sized prosthesis in the aortic position is required in 15-30% of patients with narrow aortic annulus. It allows you to get good hemodynamic results. The surgical risk of the operation is low.

869 SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF COMBINED ANNULAR RUPTURE DURING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION: A CASE REPORT

Abstract Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the treatment of patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite being less invasive than conventional open-chest surgery, TAVI remains associated with rare but serious complications such as vascular injury, stroke, coronary obstruction, cardiac perforation and annular rupture. We report a case of a combined annular rupture successful treated by emergent surgery. Case presentation: A low-risk (EuroSCORE:1.14%) 73-year-old male presenting with high-gradient, normal-flow severe aortic stenosis (AS) was referred to our centre. He had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and heavily calcified aortic valve. The Heart Team recommended isolated surgical aortic valve replacement, but the patient refused this option. We decided to perform transfemoral-TAVI with a 26 mm Edwards valve which was deployed after predilatation with a 23 mm balloon. Immediately after valve deployment, the angiography revealed contrast leakage at the level of the Valsalva sinuses. The patient developed hypotension due to cardiac tamponade which was immediately managed with pericardial drainage. A bailout cardiac surgery was required to remove the TAVI prosthesis and the native aortic leaflets. A left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) rupture was observed in addition to supra- annular and intra-annular injury. Repair of the left ventricle with a pericardial patch and implantation of a surgical bioprosthesis (Dafodil Meril 21 mm) were performed. No complications occurred post-operatively Annular rupture occurs in about 1% of all TAVI procedures and may involve the region of the aortic root and LVOT. According to the anatomical location of the injury, it can be classified into 4 types: intra-annular, sub-annular, supra-annular, and combined rupture. Annular rupture has been mainly observed after the use of balloon-expandable valves and only exceptionally after TAVI with self- expandable prosthesis. Nevertheless, the following anatomic characteristics are associated with an increased incidence of this catastrophic event: small aortic valve annulus (<20 mm), a narrow aortic root, heavy calcifications of aortic valve leaflets, annulus, LVOT and sinuses of Valsalva, bicuspid valve, short distance from a coronary artery to the annulus and LV hypertrophy. The voluminous amount of calcification located in the landing zone in addition to the force applied during the balloon expansion may be the main mechanism of this catastrophic complication. Clinical presentation is dramatic and emergent surgery can be the sole solution. Alternative bailout treatments, such as placing a second transcatheter valve to close the rupture have been occasionally reported. A precise preprocedural analysis of the device landing zone is mandatory. This includes determination of the size, morphology of all anatomical structures and a careful identification of possible factors for annular rupture. Moreover, in these cases, the availability of cardiac surgery onsite is pivotal to save patient's life. As more and younger patient will undergo TAVI in next years, our report highlightsthe need to optimize preprocedural planning and prosthesis selection. Improvements in devices, procedural techniques, and imaging tools may simplify TAVI and reduce possible complications.

Aortic Root Enlargement during Aortic Valve Replacement in Adults

Aortic valve replacement is a gold standard in the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis or combined aortic pathology. However, aortic valve pathology is often associated with a narrow aortic orifice, particularly in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In 1978, Rahimtoola first described the term of prosthesis-patient mismatch. He noted that effective orifice area of the prosthesis is smaller than that of the native valve. To minimize this complication, there are several surgical strategies: aortic root enlargement (ARE), implantation of a frameless biological prosthesis in the native position, neocuspidalization procedure, Ross procedure, aortic root replacement with xenograft or homograft. ARE is an excellent option, however, some authors outline additional perioperative risks.
 The aim. To analyze immediate results of ARE during isolated aortic valve replacement and in cases when it is combined with other heart pathologies.
 Materials and methods. Our study included 63 patients who underwent ARE. Isolated aortic valve replacement was performed in the majority of cases, but often aortic root replacement procedure was combined with coronary artery bypass grafting.
 Results and discussion. One of 63 patients died (hospital mortality 1.6%) at an early hospital stage (30 postoperative days). Measurement of the aortic valve ring was performed by two methods, through preoperative echocardiography and perioperative measurement using a valve sizer. However, perioperative dimension was chosen as the basis for the calculations. In 62 patients, the perioperative diameter of the aortic valve ring ranged from 19 to 23 mm, only one patient had a diameter of 24 mm. According to our findings, ARE enabled to achieve an average aortic ring size increase of 2.68 cm2 (from 1.5 to 3.4 cm2) and to prevent prosthesis-patient mismatch in 42 (66.7%) cases.
 Conclusions. Prosthesis-patient mismatch is considered a serious complication in the postoperative period. Narrow aortic root is a common pathology that should be considered during surgery. ARE is a safe procedure and is not associated with an increased risk of mortality and complications.

Long-term results of aortic valve replacement with xenogenic pericardial stentless prosthesis BioLAB KB/A

Aim . To evaluate long-term results of using xenogenic pericardial stentless prosthesis BioLAB KB/A. Material and methods . From 2007 to 2014, 57 xenogenic pericardial stentless prostheses BioLAB KB/A were implanted. The mean age of operated patients was 70±4 (49-80 years of age); 6 patients were younger than 65 years old. The mean follow-up period was 8 years (4-11 years). The mean age of patients at the time of examination was 79 (70-89) years. Results . Five- and ten-year survival rates were 73,82±7,99% and 51,01±11,23%, respectively. Four patients underwent long-term reoperation due to bioprosthetic valve dysfunction. Freedom from reoperation associated with infective endocarditis after a year was 95,1±2,4%, three years — 92,65±4,1%, five years — 89,1±5,2%, and seven years — 89,1±5,2%. Freedom from prosthetic valve dysfunction due to structural degeneration was 9,58±1,83 years. Conclusion. We consider it possible to use the xenogenic pericardial stentless prostheses BioLAB KB/A for aortic valve replacement in elderly patients, especially with a narrow aortic root. However, using a technically more complex technique for a larger geometric opening is not justified. Significant regurgitation at 7 years after surgery requires considering reoperation, but already in older patients and with a number of comorbidities.

Enlargement of the narrow aortic root: Fear of what?

Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) associated with aortic valve replacement, especially of aortic stenosis, is a common problem. Severe PPM is known to increase perioperative morbidity and mortality and to negatively affect late survival. Surgical enlargement of the narrow aortic root enlargement (ARE) is now increasingly accepted as a method of facilitating implantation of a larger valve prosthesis, hence decreasing the risk of PPM. There are diagnostic methods and tables that help to predict the risk of this complication and assist in the planning of the surgery. Still, many surgeons are afraid or reluctant to perform ARE because of potential technical complications of a procedure perceived to increase the complexity of the surgery. However, these procedures have been proven safe and effective, and are at the reach of almost any cardiac surgeon, including less experienced ones. In addition, there are modifications to the techniques that make them even simpler and more reproducible.

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Repair Combined with Ozaki Procedure: Our First Experience


 Introduction. Aortic valve disease is often combined with the ascending aortic aneurysm. According to a number of authors, the frequency of the diagnosis varies from 9 to 50%, and the condition requires one-stage surgical correction. Typically, in these cases, mechanical or biologic prostheses are used. The Ozaki procedure allows such operations to be performed without replacing the aortic valve with an artificial prosthesis.
 The aim. To analyze the results of aortic valve reconstruction using the Ozaki technique combined with ascending aortic aneurysm repair.
 Materials and methods. The article describes the first experience of treatment of 12 patients with aortic valve disease and ascending aortic aneurysm. All the patients underwent Ozaki procedure modified by J. Benedik with surgical correction of aneurysm of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch.
 Results and discussion. No deaths were observed in the postoperative period. There was no conversion to aortic valve replacement. Ultrasound imaging after 3 and 6 months revealed no aortic valve dysfunction. Clinically, patients’ well-being was satisfactory and they returned to normal life. Long-term results of these operations interventions require further study.
 Conclusions. Our first clinical experience showed promising short- and medium-term results. The indications for aortic valve reconstruction are the same as those for valve replacement with a bioprosthesis. Ozaki procedure can be successfully combined with ascending aortic aneurysm repair. The main advantage is the absence of a frame that does not narrow the opening area of the valve and preserves the aortic root function, which is very important for patients with a narrow aortic root.

Virtual Reality Image Evaluation In Aortic Valve Leaflet Reconstruction

Objective: Aortic valve reconstruction with three same-sized autologous pericardial leaflets (ATLAS) has been performed for patients with narrow aortic roots or contraindication for valve-prosthese...

Virtual Reality Image Analysis in Aortic Valve Leaflet Reconstruction

Aim: Aortic valve leaflet reconstruction (AVLR) with three same-sized autologous pericardial leaflets has been performed for patients with narrow aortic roots or contraindication for valve prostheses. As this procedure requires precise information regarding the aortic root, including configuration of Valsalva sinus, we assessed the physiological–anatomical condition of the aortic root by means of a virtual reality (VR) image in order to accomplish this technique in a reproducible fashion.

Significant intra-valvular pressure loss across EPIC SUPRA and perimount magna supra-annular designed aortic bioprostheses in patients with normal aortic size

Doppler-derived trans-prosthetic gradients are higher and the estimated effective valve area is smaller than the catheter-derived and directly measured hemodynamic values, mostly due to pressure recovery phenomenon. Pressure recovery to a varying extent is common to all prosthetic heart valves including bioprostheses. Pressure recovery-related differences are usually small except in patients with bileaflet metallic prosthesis, wherein high-pressure local jets across central orifice have been documented since long back and also in patients with narrow aortic root. We describe two patients with normally functioning stented aortic bioprostheses with supra-annular design (EPIC SUPRA and PERIMOUNT MAGNA), wherein very high trans-prosthetic gradients and critically reduced estimated effective valve orifice areas in presence of normal aortic size were consistently recorded over long periods of follow-up. The valve leaflets, however had normal excursion, were thin, opened with a triangular or oblong shape and had expected geometric valve area (1.7 and 1.6cm2 respectively) measured by 3D trans-oesophageal echocardiographic planimetry. Pressure recovery upstream the valves accounted for 20% and 12% of total pressure gradients respectively. Dominant site for pressure drop was intra-valvular (75–85%). Such a phenomenon has not been reported in vivo for these two valve designs.

Long-Term Results of Pericardial Autologous Patch Enlargement of the Aortic Annulus Using the Manouguian Technique.

The management of a small aortic root at the time of aortic valve replacement is controversial. In cases in which the aortic root is very small the choice of aortic valve type and of root-enlargement method is difficult. The technical challenge of the small aortic root has instigated the creation of methods for annular enlargement. Severe mismatch as a predictor of overall 30-day mortality or midterm mortality reports about long-term results of aortic valve replacement using autologous pericardial patch are scarce. Moreover, no reports about patient series are present in the English medical literature. This retrospective study was designed to address this gap in evidence. Twenty consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (with or without mitral valve replacement and/or coronary artery bypass grafting) at Başkent University Adana Medical Center between June 30, 1999 and April 10, 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. All clinical and echocardiographical data belonging to this population were specified. Their perioperational data were assessed. Twenty patients operated using the Manouguian technique for narrow aortic root from June 1999 to April 2006 were followed for 8.54 ± 3.35 years. Fourteen patients were alive at the end of the follow-up. Six patients had died. Early mortality rate was 5% and late mortality after 8.54 ± 3.35 years was 30%. Late mortality related to cardiac reasons was 5%. Only one death could be attributed to a cardiac cause which occured in a 36-year-old male patient 3 years and 6 months after the operation. 70% of the patients were alive after a mean follow-up period of 8.54 ± 3.35 years. The main finding of the present study is that aortic root enlargement using untreated fresh autologous pericardium in Manouguian type operations is a durable option, especially in conditions when homograft or stentless valve use is difficult or economically not feasible. We found that no patient had aneurysmal dilatation or mitral regurgitation after a mean follow-up of 8.54 ± 3.35 years with autologous untreated pericardium as the enlargement patch.

The association of severe aortic stenosis and narrow aortic root in a young patient — What is the etiology: Rheumatic valvulitis or Lambl's excrescences?

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common cause of left ventricular outflow obstruction in children and adults. There are several etiologies that lead to aortic stenosis like rheumatic, congenital and degenerative. Lambl's excrescences are congenital anomalies that usually occur at the sites of valve closure. They originate as small thrombi on endocardial surfaces and carry a risk for potential sources of embolism to distal organs [ 1 Aziz F. Baciewicz Jr., F.A. Lambl's excrescences: review and recommendations. Tex. Heart Inst. J. 2007; 34 (Review): 366-368 PubMed Google Scholar , 2 Jaffe W. Figueredo V.M. An example of Lambl's excrescences by transesophageal echocardiogram: a commonly misinterpreted lesion. Echocardiography. 2007 Nov; 24: 1086-1089 Crossref PubMed Scopus (21) Google Scholar , 3 Dumaswala B. Dumaswala K. Hsiung M.C. Quiroz L.D. Sungur A. Escanuela M.G. et al. Incremental value of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of Lambl's excrescences and nodules of Arantius on the aortic valve. Echocardiography. 2013 Sep; 30: 967-975 Crossref PubMed Scopus (7) Google Scholar ].

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe, non‐calcified aortic regurgitation and narrow aortic root: Description from a case report of a new approach to potentially avoid coronary artery obstruction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a possible, although off-label, alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement for high-surgical-risk patients with severe, non-calcified aortic regurgitation (AR). To date, feasibility has only been demonstrated with the Medtronic CoreValve prosthesis (MCV). This prosthesis needs the aortic sinuses to have enough width to avoid coronary obstruction. We report a case of MCV implantation for severe AR where the narrow aortic root theoretically precluded the technique. Good procedural outcome was achieved thanks to a strategy of implantation with planned positioning of the prosthesis leaflets away from the coronary arteries.

Qualitätsparameter für den Aortenklappenersatz

Advantages and disadvantages of mechanical or biological heart valve prostheses in combination with complications during long-term follow-up are responsible for the quality of aortic valve replacement. Anatomical conditions like narrow aortic root, concomitant coronary artery disease or reduced left ventricular function impair the quite good surgical results necessitating surgical intervention or the use of stentless valve implants.

Implantation of a Modified Freestyle Valve With a Single Inflow Suture Line: Technical Patterns and Advantages

Subcoronary implantation of stentless valves may be a surgical challenge in the small aortic root. In addition, calcifications of coronary ostia may interfere with the procedure. We present a technique to trim a Freestyle stentlesss root (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) and facilitate implantation with a single inflow suture line.

Comparison of transprosthetic mean pressure gradients between Medtronic Hall and ATS valves in the aortic position

Aim of the study: Several studies have shown the inferior performance of small prostheses in the narrow aortic root. However, modern low-profile mechanical prostheses have improved hemodynamic performance characteristics. By measuring the transprosthetic pressure gradient in vivo, we were able to characterize the hemodynamic features of two prostheses: the ATS Medical (ATS) and the Medtronic Hall (MH) valves. Methods: From October 1994 to April 2002, 113 patients received an aortic valve replacement (AVR) with either an ATS or a MH valve. The transprosthetic pressure gradients, calculated from a simplified Bernoulli equation during immediate postoperative Doppler echocardiographic examination, were compared for differently sized prostheses with respect to body surface area (BSA). Results: The mean pressure gradients and the mean BSAs were: 27.8±14.8 mm Hg and 1.50±0.10 m 2 in ATS 19 mm ( n=7), 20.4±8.5 mm Hg and 1.54±0.11 m 2 in ATS 21 mm ( n=22), 13.0±5.7 mm Hg, 1.70±0.13 m 2 in ATS 23 mm ( n=22), 10.9±3.5 mm Hg and 1.81±0.16 m 2 in ATS 25 mm ( n=19), 9.3±0.6 mm Hg and 1.72±0.17 m 2 in ATS 27 mm ( n=4), 13.5±6.5 mm Hg and 1.54±0.13 m 2 in MH 20 mm ( n=9), 10.9±4.7 mm Hg and 1.64±0.15 m 2 in MH 22 mm ( n=22), 9.3±3.1 mm Hg and 1.72±0.12 m 2 in MH 24 mm ( n=7). Conclusions: With the exception of the ATS 19-mm valve, the variously sized prostheses have acceptable transprosthetic pressure gradient measurements. In addition, even-sized MH valves (20 and 22 mm) with a thinner sewing cuff showed better hemodynamic performances than similarly sized ATS valves.

The Extended Biocor Stentless Aortic Bioprosthesis: Early Clinical Experience

In the "Extended" Biocor stentless aortic bioprosthesis, supra- and subvalvular extensions to a bovine pericardium ring carry three porcine leaflets. The extensions cover the "non-coronary" sinus of the prosthesis and allow optional enlargement of the aortic root down towards the mitral valve as well as upwards into the aortotomy. Seventy-one patients with this stentless valve (62 with predominantly aortic stenosis, 28 with concomitant CABG) are being prospectively studied. This paper reports follow-up one year after insertion. The upper and lower pericardial extensions were used in 61 and 11 patients, respectively. The average prosthetic valve size was 23.2 +/- 1.6 mm. Early mortality was 7% (5/71); late mortality (4/66, 5%/patient year) was not valve-related. Symptoms of thromboembolism (new neurological defects) occurred in four patients. There was no valve failure or late endocarditis. One year postoperatively the transvalvular mean pressure difference for all valves was 7.9 (3.1-18.4) mmHg. None of the patients had haemodynamically significant aortic regurgitation at follow-up; nine had trivial regurgitation. The "Extended" Biocor stentless bioprosthesis thus has a favourable haemodynamic profile and can be advantageous in elderly patients with narrow aortic roots, and often with thin and/or calcified aortic walls.

Early in vivo experience with the hemodynamic plus St. Jude medical heart valves in patients with narrowed aortic annulus

Small aortic orifice primarily resulted in heart prosthesis mismatch in a significant number of patients. The Hemodynamic Plus (HP) series of St. Jude Medical heart valves represents an interesting innovation, allowing a larger valve orifice area with an equivalent tissue annulus diameter. Hemodynamic characteristics of the 21-mm HP St. Jude Medical valve were prospectively compared with those of the standard 21-mm and 23-mm St. Jude Medical valves in three groups of 22 patients. Patients were selected from a database to be rigorously matched for age, sex, body surface area, functional class, underlying lesion, native valve opening area, left ventricular function, and preoperative peak and mean valve gradients. Postoperative evaluation (follow-up ranging from 3 to 24 months; mean, 11.5 months) included clinical examination and echocardiographic studies. There was no operative mortality or significant perioperative complications. Short-term clinical follow-up was marked by a complete absence of valve-related complications. Presently, all but 1 patient in the 21-mm HP group and 2 in the 21-mm standard group are in New York Heart Association functional class I. Doppler echocardiography-derived mean and maximal pressure gradients were significantly lower in the 21-mm HP group (8.1 +/- 1.9 and 16.4 +/- 3.4 mm Hg) than in the 21-mm standard group (13.4 +/- 3.9 and 21.2 +/- 4.3 mm Hg; p = 0.002 and p = 0.0004, respectively), confirming the better hemodynamic performance already described in in vitro studies. Pressure gradients did not differ significantly between the 21-mm HP and the 23-mm standard groups. The 21-mm HP valve demonstrated the highest performance index; 0.66 +/- 0.08, compared with 0.49 +/- 0.09 for the 21-mm standard valve (p < 0.001) and 0.59 +/- 0.07 for the 23-mm standard valve (p < 0.001). In vivo hemodynamic performance of the 21-mm HP valve corresponds closely to that of the 23-mm standard valve and is substantially better than that of the 21-mm standard valve. The 21-mm HP St. Jude Medical valve demonstrates excellent hemodynamic characteristics and can be recommended in normal-sized adult patients with narrow aortic root. This valve will minimize the need for aortic annulus enlargement.

Use of the 21-mm Björk-Shiley Monostrut valve in patients with a narrow aortic root.

Technical considerations regarding the insertion of 21-mm Björk-Shiley Monostrut valves, particularly regarding decalcification of a calcified annulus with an ultrasonic surgical dissector, in patients with aortic stenosis and a narrow aortic root are described. Short-term follow-up (mean(s.d.) 37(10) months) is also presented. Ten adults whose body surface area ranged from 1.26 to 1.47 m2 underwent implantation of a 21-mm valve without outflow patch or annuloplasty. One operative death occurred; there were no other complications. The New York Heart Association functional class decreased from a mean of 3.2 before surgery to 1 in all cases. The mean(s.d.) end-diastolic volume decreased from 129(44) ml to 80(21) ml, and the end-systolic volume from 41(21) ml to 27(10) ml (P < 0.01). The mean(s.d.) maximum velocity, as measured by Doppler echocardiography in the aortic position, decreased from 4.35(0.55) m/s to 2.42(0.59) m/s (P < 0.01). This degree of improvement was not meaningfully different from that of the 23-mm valve. However, there was a negative correlation between the reduction in left ventricular mass and body surface area (r = -0.72, P < 0.03). It is concluded that the 21-mm Björk-Shiley Monostrut valve can be inserted using a modified technique in most patients with a narrow aortic root. This size valve is satisfactory when the patient's body surface area is < 1.45 m2.