Valve-sparing Reimplantation Technique Research Articles

Long-term experience with valve-sparing root reimplantation surgery in tricuspid aortic valve.

To analyze our long-term experience with valve-sparing reimplantation technique in treating aortic root aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and aortic dissection in patients with tricuspid aortic valve. Between March 1998 and October 2018, 303 consecutive patients underwent valve-sparing reimplantation in our institution. The mean age of this cohort was 52.9 ± 15years. Time to event analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk of death, reoperation, and aortic regurgitation (AR) recurrence were analyzed using the cox-regression method. In-hospital mortality was 1% (n = 3) of which two were admitted for acute aortic dissection. Median follow-up was 5.81years ([IQR]: 2.8-10years). Thirty-nine patients (14.4%) died during follow-up. At 5 and 10years, overall survival was 92 ± 2%and 75 ± 4.9%, respectively. Seventeen patients required late aortic valve reoperation. Freedom from valve reoperation was 95 ± 2% and 90 ± 3%. Freedom from AR > 2+ and AR > 1+ at 10years was 91 ± 4% and 71.5 ± 4.6%, respectively. Significant multivariate predictors of death included age, New York Heart Association dyspnea class (NYHA), type A acute dissection (TAAD), and preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD). Significant multivariate predictors of AR recurrence included indication for surgery, previous cardiac surgery, and presence of preoperative AR. Freedom from events like major bleeding, thromboembolic events, and infective endocarditis at 10years were 97%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. Aortic valve-sparing with the reimplantation technique has been performed for over two decades in our institution, and the results in patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) are excellent in terms of survival and freedom from valve-related adverse outcomes including valve reoperation. These results continue supporting the use of valve sparing root replacement using the reimplantation technique (VSRR) in patients with aortic aneurysm, irrespective of whether they have preoperative AR or not. VSRR is safe, durable, and reproducible, but further follow-up, well into the second decade is still necessary.

Long-term experience with valve-sparing reimplantation technique for the treatment of aortic aneurysm and aortic regurgitation

ObjectiveTo analyze our long-term experience with valve-sparing reimplantation technique for the treatment of isolated root aneurysm, aneurysm with significant aortic regurgitation, and for isolated aortic regurgitation. MethodsBetween 1999 and 2017, 440 consecutive patients underwent valve-sparing reimplantation in our institution. The mean age of this cohort was 49 ± 15 years. Time-to-event analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method, whereas significant predictors of late outcomes were explored with Cox proportional hazard model. ResultsIn-hospital mortality was 0.7% (n = 3). Four hundred fourteen patients were available for long-term analysis. Median duration of follow-up was 5 years (interquartile range, 2-8.5 years). Thirty-six patients (8.5%) died during follow-up; therefore, survival was 79.7% ± 3.8% at 10 years. During follow-up we observed a linearized rate of 0.37%, 0.73%, and 0.2% patient-year, respectively, for major bleeding, thromboembolic events, and infective endocarditis. Nineteen patients required late aortic valve reoperation and freedom from valve reoperation was 89.6% ± 2.9% at 10 years and was not significantly different between groups or between tricuspid or bicuspid valve phenotypes. ConclusionsOur study shows that valve-sparing reimplantation is associated with low perioperative mortality, a remarkably low rate of valve-related complications, and excellent long-term durability. Further, it can be safely performed also in patients with isolated aortic regurgitation and the durability of valve repair is similar regardless of the indication for surgery of valve phenotype.

Valve-sparing root replacement in children.

In children, words of caution have been raised about valve-sparing procedures especially regarding the valve-remodelling technique. This study reviewed our experience with the valve-sparing reimplantation technique in children. All consecutive paediatric (<18 years) patients who underwent valve-sparing root replacement in our centre in the past 12.5 years were retrospectively analysed. Nineteen patients (median age 13.2 years, 10 months to 17.9 years) underwent valve-sparing root replacement using the reimplantation technique. Seventeen had connective tissue disease. An adult-sized vascular prosthesis could be implanted in all cases. Additional cusp repair was required in 3 patients. Follow-up was 4.4 ± 3.8 years. There was no perioperative mortality and one late death. Of the 3 patients that needed cusp repair, 1 developed Grade 3 aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and required aortic valve replacement and 2 had Grade 1 AR. Ninety-four percent of the other patients had Grade 0 AR at latest follow-up, 1 patient (6%) had Grade 1 AR. Our data show that valve-sparing root surgery using the reimplantation technique can be performed safely in children. Mid-term follow-up yields stable and favourable results. When leaflet reconstruction is necessary on top of the reimplantation procedure, rate of recurrent AR seems to be higher.

The role of annular dimension and annuloplasty in tricuspid aortic valve repair.

Valve sparing reimplantation can improve the durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair compared with subcommissural annuloplasty, especially in patients with a large basal ring. This study analyses the effect of basal ring size and annuloplasty on valve repair in the setting of a tricuspid aortic valve. From 1995 to 2013, 382 patients underwent elective tricuspid aortic valve repair. We included only those undergoing subcommissural annuloplasty, valve sparing reimplantation or no annuloplasty and in whom intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography images were available for retrospective pre- and post-repair basal ring measurements (n = 323, subcommissural annuloplasty: 146, valve sparing reimplantation: 154, no annuloplasty: 23). In a subgroup of patients with available echocardiographic images, basal ring was retrospectively measured at the latest follow-up or prior to reoperation. subcommissural annuloplasty and valve sparing reimplantation were compared after matching for degree of aortic regurgitation and root size. All three groups differed significantly for most of preoperative characteristics. Hospital mortality was 0.9%. The median follow-up was 4.7 years. At 8 years, overall survival was 80 ± 5%. Freedom from reoperation and freedom from aortic regurgitation >1+ were 92 ± 5% and 71 ± 8%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, predictors of aortic regurgitation >1+ were left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.003), cusp repair (P = 0.006), body surface area (P = 0.01) and subcommissural annuloplasty (P = 0.05). In subcommissural annuloplasty, freedom from aortic regurgitation >1+ was lower for patients with basal ring ≥28 mm compared with patients with basal ring <28 mm (P = 0.0001). In valve sparing reimplantation, freedom from aortic regurgitation >1+ was independent of basal ring size (P = 0.38). In matched comparison between subcommissural annuloplasty and valve sparing reimplantation, freedom from aortic regurgitation >1+ was not significantly different (P = 0.06), but in patients with basal ring ≥28 mm, valve sparing reimplantation was superior to subcommissural annuloplasty (P = 0.04). Despite similar intraoperative reduction in basal ring size in subcommissural annuloplasty and valve sparing reimplantation, patients with subcommissural annuloplasty exhibited greater increase in basal ring size during the follow-up compared with the valve sparing reimplantation group (P < 0.001). As with a bicuspid aortic valve, a large basal ring predicts recurrence of aortic regurgitation in patients with tricuspid aortic valve undergoing repair with the subcommissural annuloplasty technique. This recurrence is caused by basal ring dilatation over time after subcommissural annuloplasty. With the valve sparing reimplantation technique, large basal ring did not predict aortic regurgitation recurrence, as prosthetic-based circumferential annuloplasty displayed better stability over time. Stable circumferential annuloplasty is recommended in tricuspid aortic valve repair whenever the basal ring size is ≥28 mm.

The David Procedure for Salvage of a Failing Autograft After the Ross Operation

Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft is a major fear after the Ross procedure. We analyzed the results after reoperation for autograft dysfunction using a valve-sparing reimplantation technique (David procedure). From 1995 to 2012, 645 Ross operations were performed, with 630 (98%) of these as freestanding root replacements (mean follow-up, 8.3 ± 4.6 years). Forty-nine autograft reoperations occurred in 46 patients (0.89%/patient-year). Between 2005 and 2013, reoperation using a David procedure was performed in 18 of 35 patients (52%) with autograft dilatation at a mean interval of 11 ± 3.2 years after the Ross operation. The mean age of 18 patients receiving a David procedure as reoperation was 49.8 ± 13.9 years; 83% were male. The 30-day reoperative mortality was zero. The mean vascular graft size used for reimplantation was 29.5± 1.7 mm. At a mean follow-up time of 3.2 ± 2.3 years (100% complete), all patients (18 of 18) were alive andinNew York Heart Association functional class I. One patient (5%) needed valve replacement for recurrent aortic regurgitation 2.6 years after the David procedure. In the remaining patients (95%), freedom from aortic regurgitation of grade 2 or greater was 100% at 3 years (regurgitation grade <1, 14 of 17; 82%). Aortic valve gradients were clinically insignificant at 5.8 ± 2.1 mm Hg. Performing a David procedure was successful in the vast majority of patients with dilatation of the pulmonary autograft after a Ross operation and revealed good function of the preserved autograft at midterm follow-up. Reoperations could be performed with low perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Valve-sparing reimplantation technique for treatment of neoaortic root dilatation late after the arterial switch operation: raising the bar.

Neoaortic root dilatation can develop during long-term follow-up after an arterial switch operation (ASO). Although few patients require surgical reintervention, significant valve regurgitation is still an important cause of late morbidity. We report on a 15-year-old boy with significant dilatation of the neoaortic root that was treated with the valve-sparing reimplantation technique. There is only one reported case of valve-preserving surgery late after the ASO. Valve preservation is believed to be superior to valve replacement in patients with aortic regurgitation due to better hemodynamic performance and avoidance of anticoagulation therapy.

Modified valve-sparing reimplantation technique for para-commissural coronary ostia

In some patients undergoing a valve-sparing reimplantation technique, a coronary ostium may be very close to one of the commissures. This condition jeopardizes the coronary ostium patency and valve reimplantation. The authors describe a simple and safe modification of the reimplantation technique, leaving the misplaced coronary ostium attached to the commissure.

Aortic valve-sparing reimplantation technique to salvage failing pulmonary autograft

Aortic valve-sparing reimplantation technique to salvage failing pulmonary autograft

Aortic valve-sparing reimplantation technique (David-procedure) in different pathologies: Long-term clinical and echocardiographic follow-up in 170 patients. A single-center experience

Aortic valve-sparing reimplantation technique (David-procedure) in different pathologies: Long-term clinical and echocardiographic follow-up in 170 patients. A single-center experience

Easy Technique for Placing Anchoring Sutures for Aortic Root Reimplantation

In the aortic valve-sparing reimplantation technique, insertion of the anchoring sutures beneath the valve is a crucial but difficult step because the spared aortic cusps obscure the field of view. We present a novel and easy method of placing these anchoring stitches with good exposure of the subvalvular tissue.

Aortic repair in Marfan's syndrome: prevention of mechanical leaflets damage

Aortic incompetence in Marfan's syndrome results from distortion or dilatation of the sinuses of Valsalva, annuloaortic ectasia or a combination of these problems. Valve leaflets in these patients are macroscopically normal in spite of aortic insufficiency. Replacement of the ascending aorta, root and aortic valve with a composite graft was, for a long time, the treatment of choice for Marfan patients. Valve-preserving procedures (remodeling or reimplantation) provide the advantages of avoiding the shortcomings of standard surgical techniques, and maintaining the functional integrity of the left ventricular (LV) outflow tract, aortic root and ascending aorta. We developed a modified valve-sparing reimplantation technique for avoiding leaflet damage. This was achieved by leaving a ‘cushion’ of aortic wall (8–10 mm) that, sewn on the Dacron graft, works as a ‘damper’ and prevents leaflets injury during the systolic opening of the valve. For final judgment of this operative method long-term results are necessary.