Aortic valve repair in dominant aortic regurgitation

Objective: We studied immediate and mid-term results after aortic valve repair.Methods: Immediate and mid-term results were studied in 63 patients undergoing aortic valve repair, calculating survival and reoperation free rates.Results: Subjects were 49 men and 14 women aged 15 to 76 years (mean: 53±17 years). Mean preoperative aortic regurgitation grading of 1 to 4 was 3.2±0.7. Mean preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was 1.9±0.8. Two in-hospital deaths occurred. (3.2%) Mean aortic regurgitation grade at discharge was 1.3±0.8(p<0.0001; vs preoperative grade) and functional class was 1.1±0.2 (p<0.0001; vs preoperative class),—significantly improved. Overall follow-up was 98.4%, and mean follow-up continued 41.4±22.1 months. Mean functional class at follow-up was 1.2±0.4 (n=49), improved from preoperative class (p<0.0001). Mean aortic regurgitation grading at follow-up was 1.8±0.8 (n=41), improved from preoperative grading (p<0.0001). Five-year survival was 95.1±2.8%. One-year reoperation freedom was 96.6±2.4% and 5-year 77.9±6.9%.Conclusions: Survival after surgery was good, while reoperation was comparable to other reports but less satisfactory compared to reoperation freedom after aortic valve replacement. Based on reoperative findings, a change in indication was made. We believe technical refinements could improve postoperative results.