Aortic and mitral valve replacement for calcified valvular annulus in a dialysis patient; report of a case

A 77-year-old man on hemodialysis was admitted to our hospital due to heart failure. Echocardiography showed aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation, mitral valve stenosis and regurgitaion, and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Catheter examination revealed severe calcification at aortic valve and mitral valve including their annulus. At the operation, the calcifications of the aortic and mitral valvular annulus was removed using a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA). Reconstructions of the defect of the posterior part of the mitral annulus and of the aortic annulus at the site of the left coronary cusp were achieved by patch technique using autologous pericardium. Aortic and mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve annuloplasty were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Operative technique to remove calcification from valvular annulus using CUSA and reconstruct of the defect of the annulus with autologous pericardium is a very useful technique to prevent left ventricular rupture, perivalvular leakage and any other complications.     

Surgical treatment of traumatic rupture of the bicuspid aortic valve; report of a case

A 27-year-old man was injured during a motocross game. He was suffered from dyspnea, orthopnea, and hemoptysis. The to-and-fro murmur was noticed 3 days after the accident and then the patient was admitted to our hospital. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation. Computerized tomography also showed severe pulmonary contusions. Seventeen days after the accident the aortic valve replacement was performed. The aortic valve was anterior-posterior type bicuspid valve (fusion of right coronary cusp and light coronary cusp) and the tear was detected in the anterior cusp. The postoperative course was uneventful. Rupture of the aortic valve due to a blunt chest trauma is rare and reported in 20 cases previously in Japan. This case is the second report of traumatic rupture of the bicuspid aortic valve.     

Aortic valve repair by cusp extension with the use of fresh autologous pericardium in children with rheumatic aortic insufficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to evaluate the midterm results of aortic valve repair by a more sophisticated tailoring of cusp extension-taking into account the dimensions of the native aortic cusps-with the use of fresh autologous pericardium. Patients and methods: Forty-one children who had severe rheumatic aortic insufficiency (mean age 11.5 +/- 2.7 years) underwent aortic valve repair by means of this cusp extension technique over a 5-year period. Twenty-four of them underwent concomitant mitral valve repair for associated rheumatic mitral valve disease. All children were then followed up by transthoracic echocardiography before discharge, at 3 and 6 months after the operation, and at yearly intervals thereafter. RESULTS: Follow-up was complete in all patients and ranged from 3 months to 5 years (median 3 years). No operative and no early postoperative deaths occurred. Only 1 patient died, 9 months after the operation, of septicemia and multiple organ failure. Actuarial survival was 97% at 1 year and has remained unchanged at 3 years. On discharge, the degree of aortic insufficiency was grade 0 for 27 children and grade I for 14. Exacerbation of aortic insufficiency from grade I to grade II was observed in only 1 patient, and none of the children required reoperation for aortic insufficiency during the follow-up period. Mean peak systolic aortic valve gradients at discharge were lower than preoperative values (P =.04), and no significant increase in the peak systolic transvalvular gradient was detected thereafter during the follow-up period. Mean left ventricular dimensions were significantly reduced at discharge when compared with preoperative values (P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Functional results of aortic valve repair with cusp extension using fresh pericardium have been satisfactory at medium term, particularly in children with a small aortic anulus at the time of initial repair, because the expansion potential of fresh autologous pericardium is equivalent to that of the growing sinotubular junction and aortic anulus diameters.     

Concomitant traumatic aortic valve and coronary artery injury

A 79-year-old man, who had sustained nonpenetrating chest trauma 1 month previously, was admitted for dyspnea. Echocardiography demonstrated prolapse of the noncoronary aortic cusp with severe regurgitation. Aortography showed no intimal flap in the ascending aorta. Coronary arteriography showed dissection extending from the left main trunk to the proximal circumflex artery. At surgery, no abnormalities were found in the aortic wall or around the left coronary ostium. Avulsion of the commissure between the right coronary cusp and the noncoronary cusp from its aortic wall attachment was detected. Aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting were performed.     

Aortic valve regurgitation associated with rheumatoid arthritis; report of a case

We report a rare case of aortic regurgitation (AR) associated with rheumatic arthritis (RA). A 59-year-old female was brought to our hospital with cardiopulmonary arrest because of severe heart failure due to AR. After being treated for heart failure, aortic valve replacement was carried out with a Carpentier-Edwards 21 mm model. During operation, it was observed that all of the coronary cusps had become thickened and shortened. A part of the right coronary cusp near the commissure of the left coronary cusp was especially badly affected. Valve histology showed a typical degeneration pattern. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. It appears likely that the aortic valve had become shortened during the recovery process from inflammation caused by RA. The use of bioprostheses is beneficial in RA patients with aortitis, gastric ulcers, etc., since they reduce dynamic stress and eliminate the need for use of anti-coagulants.     

单个主动脉瓣叶牛心包置换术治疗儿童室间隔缺损合并主动脉瓣反流

目的 探讨儿童单个主动脉瓣叶牛心包置换在室间隔缺损合并严重主动脉瓣反流患儿中的疗效。 方法回顾性分析2006年3月至2009年9月武汉亚洲心脏病医院室间隔缺损合并严重主动脉瓣关闭不全42例患儿行单个主动脉瓣叶牛心包置换术的临床资料。其中男28例、女14例,平均年龄2～14 （9.0±3.6） 岁。所有心功能分级（NYHA）均为Ⅱ级。 结果 手术没有死亡以及并发症的发生。术后即刻经食管超声心动图提示手术成功修复主动脉瓣,瓣叶均对合正常。所有患者主动脉瓣反流均在轻度以内,跨主动脉瓣峰压差为（14.2±2.8） mm Hg。住院时间11 d,没有任何不良症状。全组患者随访32～72 （50±16） 个月。术后心功能均为Ⅰ级,无反流17例,轻度反流21例,中度反流4例。跨主动脉瓣峰压差为（12.4±3.2） mm Hg。随访中无死亡和需要二次手术患者。随访观察中未见牛心包瓣叶结构性衰败。 结论 对于室间隔缺损合并重度主动脉瓣关闭不全的患者,单个主动脉瓣叶牛心包置换术具有良好的血流动力学和中期效果。     

Quadricuspid aortic valve: case reports

Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve with aortic regurgitation are reported. Case 1, a 66-year-old woman was operated on because of aortic regurgitation, and an aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis was performed. When the valve was exposed during the operation, it showed four cusps, three of which were of equal size and one smaller cusp which was interposed between the right and left coronary cusp. Case 2, a 46-year-old man was diagnosed, using echocardiography and aortography before surgery, as suffering from aortic regurgitation because of a quadricuspid aortic valve. During surgery, two larger cusps and two smaller cusps and a displacement of the right coronary artery ostium, (which was placed in a lower position and close to the commissure between the right coronary and the right posterior cusps) were found. The four cusps were excised and replaced by a tilting disc prosthesis. In both cases, the postoperative recovery was uneventful. Using the 24 cases from the literature and two of our own cases, the correlation between the size or the position of the accessory cusp and the occurrence of aortic regurgitation was analyzed. The larger the accessory cusp was, the higher the incidence of aortic regurgitation occurred (p less than 0.05).     

Repair of aortic valve prolapse: experience with 44 patients.

OBJECTIVES: In regurgitant tricuspid aortic valves, cusp prolapse may be isolated or associated with dilatation of the proximal aorta. Newly appearing cusp prolapse can also appear after an aortic valve sparing operation (AVSO) and be responsible for residual aortic regurgitation. In this report, we describe our experience in repairing prolapsing aortic cusps in 44 patients with aortic regurgitation. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2003, 260 patients had aortic valve repair or valve sparing procedures in our department. All patients had peri-operative TEE. Prolapse of one or more of the aortic cusps was identified by TEE and confirmed by careful surgical inspection before and after valve sparing surgery. Forty-four patients with cusp prolapse were identified. Fifteen had an isolated prolapse, with a normal root (group I), 18 had cusp prolapse associated with dilatation of the proximal aorta (group IIa), and 11 had a newly appearing prolapse after AVSO (group IIb). Correction of the prolapsing cusp was achieved by either free edge plication, triangular resection or resuspension with PTFE. This procedure was associated with an aortic annuloplasty in group I, and with AVSO in groups II and III. RESULTS: Post-operative TEE showed AR trivial or grade I regurgitation. At a mean of 23 months follow-up, one patient with recurrent regurgitation required an aortic valve replacement with a homograft. All remaining patients were in NYHA class I or II. Echocardiography confirmed the durability of the valve repair. CONCLUSIONS: Among the common causes of aortic regurgitation, isolated cusp prolapse is frequent and is amenable to surgical repair with excellent mid-term results. In particular, in patents who are potential candidates for AVSO, identification and correction of an associated prolapse, either pre-existing or secondary to the AVSO procedure, may further extend the indications for this technique, increase its success rates and improve its long-term outcome.     

Quadricuspid aortic valve associated with aortic stenosis and regurgitation

A 75-year-old man with moderate aortic stenosis and regurgitation admitted due to heart failure underwent uneventful aortic valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis valve. A quadricuspid aortic valve discovered incidentally during surgery consisted of 4 of different sizes and a supernumerary cusp between the right and noncoronary cusps. No coronary abnormality was involved. Resected cusps showed fibrotic thickening with calcification and no sign of previous inflammatory disease. Although quadricuspid aortic valve is a very rare anomaly, its potential for severe valve failure in adulthood should not be neglected.     

Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve

Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital aortic valve anomaly. We present two cases of QAV diagnosed by using echocardiography including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac computed tomography (CT). The first case, QAV with four equal-sized cusps, was identified in a 58-year-old man. The second case, QAV with a small accessory cusp between the right coronary and non-coronary cusp, was identified in a 42-year-old man. TEE and cardiac CT could lead to accurate diagnosis of QAV. QAV in these two patients could be diagnosed before indication for surgery but it is necessary to continue careful follow-up.     

Aortic valve lipomatous hamartoma in a young woman

We present a rare case of lipomatous hamartoma of the aortic valve. A 17-year-old woman was admitted with cardiac murmur. Echocardiography demonstrated severe aortic regurgitation and a highly echoic mass on the right cusp of the aortic valve. Surgery was performed with a differential diagnosis of chronic infective endocarditis or aortic valve tumor. At operation, a yellowish bead-shaped tumor was detected on the right cusp of the aortic valve, and aortic valve replacement was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed a lipomatous hamartoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a lipomatous hamartoma located on the aortic valve.     

Ross operation and mitral valve repair for active infective endocarditis

A 17-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of infective endocarditis. Echocardiography showed vegetation on the aortic valve and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Because of the evidence of multiple embolisms including coronary, splenic, and right brachial arteries, emergency Ross operation was performed using Prima PLUS stentless valve for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract and so was mitral valve repair with autologous pericardial patch. Although cerebral hemorrhage occurred postoperatively, she recovered well without any neurological deficit. She was in good condition without any anticoagulation therapy 12 months after surgery. The Ross operation and mitral valve repair are useful for the treatment of aortic and mitral infective endocarditis, especially in young women with the potential of future pregnancy and labor.     

Untreated tetralogy of Fallot in an adult patient complicated by acute aortic valve endocarditis

Acute endocarditis complicated by aortic valve regurgitation is an uncommon finding in adults with surgical untreated tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The hemodynamic consequences for both, the right and left ventricles, are significant. However, the right ventricle may be in a disastrous situation, since a compromised right ventricle from longstanding pressure overload may not tolerate acute volume overload. Here we report a 28-year-old African adult patient with TOF and acute severe aortic valve regurgitation due to bacterial endocarditis with preoperative low cardiac output syndrome. After aortotomy a large abscess cavity underneath the left and non-coronary sinus and a TOF typical perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) were visible. Autologous glutaraldehyde-treated pericardium was used to reconstruct the aortic-mitral curtain. For repair of the TOF a vertical incision in the right ventricular outflow tract was performed and the infundibular septum was resected. The perimembranous VSD was closed with glutaraldehyde-fixed autologous pericardium, whereas the cranial part of the patch formed the aortic annulus. An aortic homograft was implanted as a full aortic root. The patient recovered early and uneventful. Adult TOF may be complicated by acute aortic valve endocarditis with emergent surgical intervention. Homograft aortic valve replacement is feasible in this setting.     

A case report of successful repair for ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva (I VSD) with aortic regurgitation

A nineteen-year-old female who had history of infectious endocarditis underwent surgical repair for ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva with aortic regurgitation. Through aortotomy mild degree of prolapse of right coronary cusp and perforation of left coronary cusp sized 6 mm in diameter were recognized and the latter was thought to be the dominant lesion resulting in severe aortic regurgitation. Following direct closure of ruptured aneurysm and patch closure of ventricular septal defect, perforated left coronary cusp was repaired with autologous pericardium. Post operative course was uneventful and she is now doing well.     

Midterm results of aortic valve repair with the pericardial cusp extension technique in rheumatic valve disease

BACKGROUND: The encouraging results of valve repair in the atrioventricular valves have influenced a decision about aortic valve (AV) reconstruction. We report our experience with pericardial cusp extension to repair rheumatic AV disease. METHODS: From 1993 to 1998, 46 patients (25 women, 21 men) with a mean age of 31.5 +/- 12.2 years (range, 15 to 58 years) underwent AV repair. Twenty-two (47.8%) patients had moderate and 24 (52.2%) had severe aortic insufficiency (AI). Severe cusp retraction was repaired with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium. Twenty-one patients had more than one maneuver (mean, 1.8) to attain competence besides augmentation, which consisted of the release of stenotic commissures (in 11 cases), thinning of the AV cusps (in 10 cases), and resuspension of the cusps (in 17 cases). Simultaneous mitral valve repair was performed on 17 patients. Eight patients received triple valve reconstruction. RESULTS: There was no early mortality. Thirty patients no longer had AI with any significant transvalvular gradients. Five patients were followed with mild residual AI, and 2 patients with moderate AI not requiring reoperation. Nine patients developing severe AI required AV replacement with a reoperation rate 19.6% (4.26%/patient-year). The mean interval between repair and reoperation was 28.2 +/- 18.3 months (range, 3 to 58 months). The mean observation time was 4.6 +/- 3 years (211.6 patient-years). Late mortality rate was 2.2% with 1 patient. The significant negative predictors of aortic reoperation determined by univariate analysis were preoperative New York Heart Association class (p = 0.002) and postoperative severe AI (p < 0.001). Cox hazard studies identified that all risk factors were insignificant for aortic reoperation. The actuarial rate of freedom from aortic reoperation was 76.1% +/- 7% at 7.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although AV repair by extension with pericardium is worth considering with an acceptable solution to achieve a good geometry from unequal cusps, especially in young rheumatic patients for preservation of the native AV, the patients should be followed periodically for reoperation risk.     

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.     

Congenital quadricuspid aortic valve: report of nine surgical cases.

We report the clinicopathologic characteristics of the congenital quadricuspid aortic valve necessitating surgery. Among 616 patients for whom we performed an aortic valve operation over the past 20 years, nine patients (1.46%) (five men and four women, mean age 60 years) with quadricuspid aortic valve were encountered. All had aortic regurgitation (AR) except one with aortic stenosis and mild regurgitation (ASr). All were free of cardiac anomaly including that of the coronary arterial system. Macroscopically, severe calcification of the valve was seen in the one case of ASr. Fenestration of the cusp was seen in five cases of AR. Infective endocarditis was not seen. Histological study disclosed fibrous thickening and myxoid degeneration in the AR cases. In accordance with the Hurwitz and Roberts classification, four valves were type b (three equal-sized cusps and one smaller cusp), two valves were type a (four equal-sized cusps), two valves were type d (one large, two intermediate, and one small cusp), and one valve was type g (four unequal-sized cusps). Valve repair failed in one patient and was converted to valve replacement during the operation. All patients underwent successful aortic valve replacement (AVR).     

Aortic valve replacement for quadricuspid aortic valve complicated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; report of a case

An 83-year-old woman, who had suffered from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), was admitted to our hospital because of cardiac heart failure and chest pain. The platelet was 42 x 10(4) in microl. Echocardiography revealed moderate aortic stenosis and regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction. Preoperatively, we tapered oral steroid and administered high-dose immunoglobulin intravenously. Intraoperatively, we found quadricuspid aortic valve and the rudimentary accessory cusp was located between the right coronary cusp and noncoronary cusp. Aortic valve replacement was performed with bioprosthetic valve. The postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative echocardiography revealed no perivalvular leakage. Preoperative administration of high-dose immunoglobulin and intraoperative platelet transfusion is very effective to minimize hemorrhagic complication in patients with ITP. We herein report an extremely rare quadricuspid aortic valve complicated with ITP.     

Aortic valve reconstruction using self-developed aortic valve plasty system in aortic valve disease

Aortic valve disease is usually treated by prosthetic valve replacement. We have performed aortic valve plasty (AVP) using glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium. AVP was performed for 88 patients from April 2007 through August 2009. Sixty-five patients had aortic stenosis, and 23 patients had aortic regurgitation (AR). Twenty-one patients showed bicuspid aortic valves, and one patient showed quadricuspid valve. There were 43 males and 45 females. Their mean age was 70.6±10.5 years old. First, diseased leaflets excised. Then, the distance between each commissure was measured. The new leaflet were trimmed with an original template from a glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium sample. Finally, the annular margin of the pericardial leaflet was running sutured to each annulus. There was no operative mortality or embolic event. Postoperative echocardiography revealed a mean peak pressure gradient (PG) of 19.0±9.1 mmHg one week after surgery. Thirty-two patients had echocardiography one year after surgery. The peak PG became 12.9±5.8 mmHg. Ten patients showed no AR, 20 patients showed trivial AR, and two patients showed mild AR. Freedom from reoperation is 100% at three years follow-up.     

Tricuspid valve repair for active infective endocarditis in a drug addict

We report a case of tricuspid valve endocarditis in a drug addict. A 30-year-old man who had a history of intravenous drug abuse was admitted with complaints of high fever and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed multiple thromboembolism in the bilateral lungs. Blood culture was positive with methicillin sesitive Staphylococcus aureus, and echocardiography showed severe tricuspid valve regurgitation and vegetations attached to the tricuspid valve. Because infection was uncontrollable, he underwent surgery. We removed a part of posterior leaflet including vegetations, and performed tricuspid valve repair using the autologous pericardium. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Subsequent echocardiography showed no vegetations and regurgitation of the tricuspid valve. He has remained free from endocarditis for 10 months after surgery.