Treatment of destructive aortic valve endocarditis with the Freestyle Aortic Root Bioprosthesis

BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of destructive aortic valve endocarditis with annular abscess formation requires extensive surgical debridement and reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract and aortic root. Homograft aortic roots are the conduits of choice, but because they are not available in all cases, alternative conduits are needed. METHODS: Owing to its features, which are comparable to those of homografts, the Freestyle aortic root xenograft was used in 10 consecutive patients aged between 32 and 77 years. All patients had extensive abscess formation, 5 presented with prosthetic valve endocarditis, 2 had additional mitral valve endocarditis requiring partial leaflet resection and reconstruction, 1 patient had an additional fistula into the right atrium, and 1 required coronary bypass. One patient developed a septic ventricular septal defect and fistula into the right atrium with tricuspid valve endocarditis. RESULTS: None of the patients required reoperation for bleeding. Two (20%) patients died in the postoperative period, 1 due to multiorgan failure, and 1 due to preexisting invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. At autopsy, neither had evidence of intrapericardial hematoma or suture dehiscence. One patient died 13 months postoperatively without clinical signs of valve dysfunction or recurrent endocarditis. All other patients are well at 12 to 42 months after surgery. Clinical examination and echocardiography at the most recent follow-up showed no signs of valve dysfunction, recurrent fistulation, or endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: The Freestyle aortic root appears to be an acceptable alternative to homografts in the treatment of severe endocarditis. Long-term valve durability in younger patients, however, remains to be determined.     

Double valve replacement for infective endocarditis in a hemodialysis patient: A case report

A 57-year-old man who was in end stage renal failure underwent an aortic and mitral valve replacement for the progression of cardiac dysfunction, secondary to Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis. Cardiac surgery was performed using a Hemo-Concentrator during cardiopulmonary bypass, 82 months following the initiation of hemodialysis. This is the second report in the literature of a successful double valve replacement for infective endocarditis and congestive heart failure in a chronic hemodialysis patient.     

Intraoperative hemodialysis during cardiopulmonary bypass in chronic renal failure.

This report describes the features and the course of a patient on maintenance hemodialysis in whom infective endocarditis of the aortic valve ensued. The subsequent development of intractable congestive heart failure necessitated aortic valve replacement. Use of intraoperative hemodialysis, facilitating the intraoperative and postoperative management of the patient, is described. Following valve replacement the patient did well with no evidence of congestive heart failure.     

Left ventricular outflow tract-right atrial fistula following aortic valve replacement

Abstract A 59-year-old male, undergoing outpatient treatment of a sternal wound infection following elective aortic valve replacement surgery, presented with decompensated heart failure. The patient required emergency redo surgery after investigations revealed a left ventricular outflow tract to right atrial fistula due to endocarditis with right ventricular dysfunction. Echocardiography, in particular transesophageal echocardiography, was essential for the diagnosis of this rare event. (J Card Surg 2012;27:570-572).     

严重主动脉瓣感染性心内膜炎患者主动脉根部置换的方法与疗效

目的总结严重主动脉瓣感染性心内膜炎患者行主动脉根部置换术治疗的临床经验,探讨其手术适应证和手术方法,以期提高外科治疗效果。方法1995年9月～2008年6月间手术治疗11例严重主动脉瓣或人工瓣膜感染性心内膜炎患者,其中活动期6例,静止期5例;术前动脉血细菌培养阳性6例。术前心脏超声心动图提示均有不同程度的主动脉瓣反流或瓣周漏,左心室收缩期末内径（LVESD）6．0±0．7cm,其中≥5．5cm 7例;左心室射血分数（LVEF）47．8％±11．2％,其中≤509／8例。手术均在彻底清创后应用人工带瓣管道（9例）或同种带瓣管道（2例）行主动脉根部置换术,同期行冠状动脉旁路移植术4例,二尖瓣环缩术3例,室间隔缺损修补术1例。结果术后心脏骤停死亡1例。发生Ⅲ°房室传导阻滞1例,后期植入永久性起搏器。术后随访10例,随访时间3个月～13．2年,术后32d因感染性心内膜炎复发死亡1例;其余患者均无感染复发和晚期死亡。结论当感染性心内膜炎合并主动脉根部或窦部瘤、感染累及主动脉窦壁或冠状动脉开口处、瓣环严重毁损或彻底清创后瓣环缺损广泛时,宜置换主动脉根部。手术的关键是彻底清创和防止根部出血。尽管手术较复杂,但局部清创彻底,有利于提高手术效果。     

Aortic root replacement after operation for the ascending aorta and/or aortic valve

We reviewed ten cases who underwent aortic root replacement after operation for the ascending aorta and/or aortic valve. As initial operation, aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in five patients, replacement of the ascending aorta in two, original Bentall operation in two, and entry closure and suspension of the aortic valve in one. At reoperation, three patients were diagnosed as aneurysm of the ascending aorta, two were annulo-aortic ectasia, and one was acute aortic dissection, chronic dissecting aneusym, pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta, prosthetic valve endocarditis, and massive aortic regurgitation. Aortic root replacement was performed using mechanical valved composite graft in all cases. One patient who underwent repeat aortic root replacement for prosthetic valve endocarditis was died of septemia and ventricular fibrillation. Five patients had nine complications (two low output syndrome, respiratory failure and cerebral infarction, one gastrointestinal bleeding, septemia and ventricular fibrillation). In conclusion, aortic root replacement after operation for the ascending aorta and/or aortic valve was performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality.     

Redo cardiac surgery for active prosthetic valve endocarditis associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: report of a case

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is caused by an autosomal dominant gene and characterized by multiple arteriovenous malformations in several organs, leading to bleeding or shunting. These patients often suffer severe infections and heart failure, which should be managed in the perioperative period, when open heart surgery is indicated. We report a case of successful aortic root replacement for active prosthetic valve endocarditis and ventricular septal perforation in a patient with HHT, who had severe heart failure.     

The Konno aortoventriculoplasty for repeat aortic valve replacement

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of aortic root augmentation by the Konno-aortoventriculoplasty technique as part of reoperative aortic valve replacement. Methods: Since 1983, 15 patients, 12 males and three females, had repeat aortic valve replacement (AVR) with concomitant Konno aortoventriculoplasty. Age ranged from 1.2 to 18 years (mean 12.5 years). The underlying anatomic diagnoses were valve and subvalvar aortic stenosis in 11, truncal valve insufficiency in one, endocarditis in one, Shone's complex in one and severe aortic insufficiency associated with a ventricular septal defect in one patient. All patients had had previous AVR. The causes for reoperation were prosthetic valve stenosis due to growth in ten and paravalvular leak in one, homograft failure in two, xenograft failure in one, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) after mitral valve replacement in one patient. The mean size of explanted prostheses was 19.2 mm (13–23 mm) while the mean size of the implanted prostheses was 24.3 mm (19–27 mm) (P<0.01). Previous aortic root enlargement had been performed in 11 patients in conjunction with AVR. The Manougian technique was used previously in two, Konno aortoventriculoplasty in eight, and both techniques in one patient. The newly implanted aortic valves were a homograft in one patient and mechanical prostheses in 14 patients. Results: There was one operative death (1 of 15 or 6.6%) in a 17.5 year old patient with previous AVR and posterior root enlargement, due to low cardiac output state. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 17 years (mean 7.2 years). The only late death occurred in an 11.6-year-old patient due to prosthetic valve endocarditis. Two patients had complete heart block and had permanent pacemaker insertion (2 of 15 or 13.3%). One patient had pulmonary valve replacement because of combined stenosis and insufficiency 5 years after operation. All 13-surviving patients are asymptomatic at latest follow up. Conclusion: Konno aortoventriculoplasty with repeat AVR may be safely performed. Excellent results may be achieved despite previous aortic root enlargement. It is a good surgical option for complex LVOTO and may even reduce reoperation in children by allowing placement of a larger prosthesis.     

A case report of a successful surgical treatment for infective endocarditis involving four valves in a elderly patient with ventricular septal defects

A 72-year-old female was examined because of acute congestive heart failure. Echocardiogram revealed vegetations on aortic and pulmonary valve, regurgitation of four valves, and perimembraneous ventricular septal defect. Aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, repair of tricuspid valve using a Carpentier ring, partial resection of pulmonary valve, and direct closure of VSD was performed. Pathological finding of resected valves showed acute endocarditis. A patient resumed social activities after surgery.     

Triple-valve treatment for prosthetic valve endocarditis occurring 20 years after implantation of a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis in the aortic valve

A 68-year-old woman had undergone aortic valve replacement and open commissurotomy 20 years previously. At the beginning of 2008, fever, cold, and heart failure symptoms were noted. On blood culture, Streptococcus oralis was detected three times. Surgery was performed under a diagnoses of prosthetic valve endocarditis in the aortic valve, mitral stenosis and insufficiency, and tricuspid insufficiency. Techniques consisted of additional aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and tricuspid annuloplasty. Vegetation was macroscopically and pathologically observed in the extirpated Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis that had been placed in the aortic valve. There was no postoperative recurrent inflammatory response. The patient was discharged 32 days after surgery.     

复杂性感染性心内膜炎的外科治疗

目的评价瓣周脓肿、心肌脓肿以及瓣膜严重毁损等复杂性感染性心内膜炎手术治疗的近、远期疗效.方法回顾性分析1988年12月至2002年6月手术治疗的复杂性心内膜炎患者57例临床资料,均为原发性心内膜炎,其中感染侵犯主动脉瓣25例、二尖瓣16例、二尖瓣和主动脉瓣16例.术中发现瓣叶严重毁损32例、主动脉瓣周脓肿19例、主动脉根部环形脓肿导致左心室-主动脉连接破坏4例、二尖瓣后瓣环脓肿11例、心肌脓肿6例、瓣膜赘生物形成55例.脓肿清除后遗留残腔采用间断褥式缝合6例、自体心包片修补19例、牛心包片修补6例、聚四氟乙烯膨体补片修补4例;施行以带瓣管道作升主动脉根部替换和左、右冠状动脉移植术4例,主动脉瓣替换术21例,二尖瓣替换术16例,主动脉瓣及二尖瓣双瓣替换术16例.结果早期死亡6例(11%),死亡主要原因为低心输出量综合征、人造心脏瓣膜性心内膜炎和多脏器功能衰竭.随访4个月至14年,平均(5.93±0.20)年.晚期死亡5例,晚期主要并发症为人造瓣膜性心内膜炎.术后1年心功能恢复NYHA分组Ⅰ～Ⅱ级占96%(44/46);5年再手术免除率为(84±3)%,5年实际生存率为(61±9)%.结论复杂性心内膜炎局部组织破坏较多,应限期手术或急症手术,清创后残腔的处理是影响手术本身能否成功以及术后近、远期效果的关键.     

Left ventricular-right atrial shunt due to infective endocarditis--report of a case

Acquired left ventricular-right atrial shunt is a very rare cardiac disease. Infective endocarditis, cardiac operative procedures, and thoracic trauma were reported as origins. We report a case of a patient with left ventricular-right atrial shunt due to infective endocarditis. A 53-year-old male who had aortic regurgitation due to infective endocarditis developed suddenly severe congestive heart failure. Two-dimensional and pulsed doppler echocardiography demonstrated left ventricular-right atrial shunt. Emergency operation was done. The fistula was found through the atrioventricular membranous septum. The position from the left view was just below the commissure between the right coronary cusp and non coronary cusp and the opening position from the right view was just above the septal leaflet of tricuspid valve. Aortic valve replacement and direct closure of fistula were done and patient's recovery was uneventful. Case reports of left ventricular-right atrial shunt due to infective endocarditis have been rarely seen, most of which were followed by poor prognosis. Surgical intervention in acute phase is recommended.     

Double valve replacement for infective endocarditis in a hemodialysis patient: a case report

A 57-year-old man who was in end stage renal failure underwent an aortic and mitral valve replacement for the progression of cardiac dysfunction, secondary to Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis. Cardiac surgery was performed using a Hemo-Concentrator during cardiopulmonary bypass, 82 months following the initiation of hemodialysis. This is the second report in the literature of a successful double valve replacement for infective endocarditis and congestive heart failure in a chronic hemodialysis patient.     

Surgical aspect of active infective endocarditis

Twenty patients with active infective endocarditis, 11 with native valve endocarditis (NVE) and 9 with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), were treated surgically from 1975 through April 1987 at Kyushu University Hospital. The operative indications were congestive heart failure mainly due to massive aortic regurgitation in 18, periannular abscess in 6, major embolism in 5 and severe hemolysis in 3 patients. In the group of NVE, single aortic valve replacement was performed in 4 patients and multiple valve replacement in the remainder. One patient died early postoperatively from LOS. Two patients with recurrent infective endocarditis, which occurred within 60 days after previous prosthetic valve replacement, were operated subsequently as early PVE. All other patients became NYHA class I postoperatively except for one patient who died from thrombosed valve. In the group PVE, re-AVR was done in 3, re-MVR in five, double valve replacement in two and re-fixation of the prosthesis to the aortic annulus in one patient. Two patients with early PVE died from recurrent endocarditis late postoperatively. One of 7 patients with late PVE, who had suffered from myocardial and cerebral infarction before reoperation, died from multiple organ failure. There were 3 patients with perivalvular leakage due to late active PVE, whose preoperative signs of inflammation were negative or minimum. As recurrent perivalvular leakage due to persistent infective endocarditis might frequently occur in such cases, complete resection and debridement of infected foci should be emphasized.     

Creation of an atrial septal defect for acute postperfusion right ventricular failure

Acute postperfusion right ventricular failure following mitral and aortic valve replacement in a patient with severe double-valve incompetence secondary to endocarditis is presented. The situation was reversed by creating an atrial septal defect that decompressed the right ventricle and increased left ventricular filling pressure.     

A case of aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis with aortic root aneurysm

A 72-year-old male who underwent patch closure of atrial septal defect and aortic valve replacement (AVR) 10 years ago was diagnosed as aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis for recurrent fever, coexisting paravalvular leakage and aortic root aneurysm by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Operative findings showed mechanical prosthesis was dehiscenced in part and limited subannular aneurysm that was healed macroscopically. The hole of the aneurysm was closed by direct suture. Re-AVR, mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty for complicating mitral valve stenosis and regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation was performed. The patient is now doing well for one year after the reoperation.     

A case of aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis with aortic root aneurysm]

A 72-year-old male who underwent patch closure of atrial septal defect and aortic valve replacement (AVR) 10 years ago was diagnosed as aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis for recurrent fever, coexisting paravalvular leakage and aortic root aneurysm by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Operative findings showed mechanical prosthesis was dehiscenced in part and limited subannular aneurysm that was healed macroscopically. The hole of the aneurysm was closed by direct suture. Re-AVR, mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty for complicating mitral valve stenosis and regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation was performed. The patient is now doing well for one year after the reoperation.     

Treatment of aortic valve endocarditis with the Ross operation

Objective: Standard treatment of patients with infective endocarditis is radical debridement and valve replacement, in cases with advanced pathology the treatment is usually root replacement with either a composite graft or a homograft. Enthusiasm for the use of the Ross operation in non-infective aortic valve disease is increasing, but use of the pulmonary autograft in the treatment of aortic valve endocarditis has been limited. The objective of this prospective study is to present the technique and results of our experience with aortic valve endocarditis treated with the Ross operation. Materials and methods: Since 1992 we have treated 35 patients (median age 41 years, range 6–71 years) having aortic valve endocarditis with a Ross operation. Twenty-four patients had advanced disease defined as pathology due to endocarditis extending beyond the valve cusps (13 patients) or prosthetic valve endocarditis (11 patients). Twenty-two patients had active disease at the time of surgery, and 12 had undergone one to four previous heart operations. Results: There were two operative deaths (5.8%), both related to severe disease with very advanced pathology and heart failure. Intraoperative echocardiography demonstrated no or trivial autograft insufficiency in all patients. There have been no late deaths. There has been one (probable) recurrent right-sided endocarditis in a drug addict during a follow-up period of 3–56 months. One patient has been reoperated on for homograft stenosis. Conclusions: We are enthusiastic about the use of the Ross operation in aortic valve endocarditis and in younger patients with advanced pathology, it is our preferred treatment modality. Following removal of the autograft, unparalleled exposure of the left ventricular outflow tract is obtained. Even in patients with very advanced pathology the left ventricular outflow tract is usually intact, allowing autograft implantation in the standard fashion. For selected patients with simple endocarditis, the Ross operation is an attractive option on its usual merits.     

Surgical Treatment of Acute Aortic Regurgitation in Infective Endocarditis

During a six-year period 15 consecutive patients with isolated aortic regurgitation due to infective endocarditis were encountered. None had prior significant aortic valve disease. Elective valve replacement was performed in 13 patients; emergency operation was needed in only 1 patient because of intractable pulmonary edema. One patient died suddenly from acute heart block while undergoing medical treatment.Preoperative cardiac catheterization studies in 10 of the 14 patients revealed gross elevations of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, pulmonary hypertension, depressed cardiac output, and 3 to 4+ aortic regurgitation. There was 1 early and 1 late postoperative death, both due to systemic embolism, yielding an overall surgical mortality of 14%. After a mean follow-up of 18 months, 10 of the 11 patients are in New York Heart Association Functional Class I.Most patients with acute aortic regurgitation secondary to infective endocarditis have clinically observable congestive heart failure and will eventually require valve replacement. If congestive heart failure can be stabilized by a medical regimen, a course of antibiotic therapy can be administered and elective valve replacement can be performed. The time taken for preoperative antibiotic treatment is not associated with irreversible myocardial damage sufficient to influence the results of operation.     

Allograft Aortic Root Replacement in Prosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis: A Review of 32 Patients

Background. This study was conducted to evaluate allograft aortic root replacement in the setting of complicated prosthetic valve endocarditis with extensive annular destruction.

Methods. From January 1990 through March 1996, 32 patients diagnosed with complicated prosthetic valve endocarditis underwent allograft root replacement. Mean age was 58.3 ± 13.2 years; 23 patients were men. Mean preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was 3.4. Staphylococcus epidermidis (50%) and Enterococcus faecalis (19%) were the predominant causative microorganisms. Annular abscesses were found in 26 patients (81%), aortic-mitral discontinuity in 14 patients (43%), and left ventricular-aortic discontinuity in 11 patients (34%). A cryopreserved allograft was used in 31 patients (97%) and a fresh antibiotic-treated allograft was used in 1 patient (3%). Mean aortic cross-clamp time was 150 ± 29 minutes. Mean duration of the postoperative antibiotic treatment was 38.5 ± 11.8 days.

Results. There were three operative deaths (9.4%); causes of death were multiorgan failure in 2 patients (6.2%) and low cardiac output in 1 patient (3.2%). Six patients (18%) had complete heart block (4 patients already before the operation), 3 patients (9.4%) had temporary respiratory insufficiency, and 1 patient (3.2%) needed temporary hemodialysis. Mean follow-up was 37.4 ± 22.4 months. Two late deaths occurred: 1 patient had recurrent endocarditis, leading to a false aneurysm, and died at reoperation; another patient died of lung cancer. Actuarial 5-year survival was 87.3% (70% confidence interval, 76.8% to 97.8%); actuarial 5-year freedom from recurrent endocarditis was 96.5% (70% confidence interval, 90.0% to 100%)

Conclusions. Allograft aortic root replacement is a valuable technique in the complex setting of prosthetic valve endocarditis with involvement of the periannular region. Mortality and morbidity are low.