Rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement after aortic root replacement: A safe alternative to redo root replacement

Reoperative aortic root replacement, following prior biologic or mechanical valved conduit aortic root prosthesis, presents a technical challenge. The rapid-deployment aortic valve prosthesis is an approved alternative to traditional bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. We present three clinical cases in which rapid-deployment aortic valve prostheses were utilized in lieu of reoperative full aortic root replacement. All three patients recovered uneventfully. The rapid-deployment valve insertion in a prior surgical aortic root prosthesis is a safe option to avoid reoperative full aortic root replacement.     

Surgically treated aortic root aneurysm following aortic valve replacement

A 65-year-old man with aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve replacement with a St. Jude Medical prosthetic valve about 6 years ago. At that time, the aortic root was slightly dilated at about 40 mm in diameter and the ascending aorta was within the normal range. This year, the man was diagnosed with an aortic root aneurysm in regular follow-up echocardiography. Chest-enhanced computed tomography and chest aortography at our hospital demonstrated a pear-like aortic root aneurysm about 60 mm in diameter. Elective operation for the aortic root aneurysm was conducted September 29, 1999, based on the Bentall procedure. Composite graft replacement with coronary reconstruction was conducted using a 28-mm Hemashield prosthetic graft and a 23-mm St. Jude Medical prosthetic valve under cardiopulmonary bypass. An 8-mm Hemashield graft was interposed on the left main coronary artery and the right coronary artery was directly anastomosed using a Carrel patch method. The postoperative course was uneventful and post-operative examination demonstrated good surgical results. Histological findings of the aortic aneurysm wall showed cystic medial necrosis. Surgical cases of aortic root aneurysm after aortic valve replacement are rare, but serious complications with the possibility of rupture or dissection warrant surgical intervention.     

主动脉根部CTA影像评估在主动脉瓣成形术中的应用价值

目的探索主动脉根部CT血管造影(CTA)在术前评估中的应用,并与二维超声数据对比,评价两者与术中外科测量数据的相关程度。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2020年8月期间,在我院行主动脉瓣成形术的53例主动脉瓣病变患者的临床资料,其中男38例、女15例,年龄10～77(42.9±18.3)岁。收集术前经胸二维超声和主动脉根部CTA对主动脉根部测量的数据,包括主动脉瓣环(AVA)、主动脉窦(Sinus)、窦管交界(STJ)。通过与术中实际测量的数据比较,做一致性分析。结果术前心脏超声AVA测量值和术前CT AVA测量值与术中AVA测量值均呈正相关(P<0.001)。与术前心脏超声AVA测量值相比[相关系数(ρ)=0.74,均方误差(MSE)=12.78],术前CT AVA测量值保持了较高准确性,以及与术中AVA测量值的一致性(ρ=0.95,MSE=2.72)。在与术中AVA测量值的相关系数方面,术前CT高于经胸二维超声(P<0.001)。结论和经胸二维超声相比,主动脉根部CTA应用于主动脉瓣成形的术前评估数据,与外科术中实际测量的数据具有更高的一致性和准确性。     

Prosthetic valve endocarditis with extensive aortic root abscess

Prosthetic valve endocarditis with an extensive aortic root abscess usually has high mortality and morbidity. A 71-year-old male with an extended aortic root abscess following aortic valve replacement survived after full aortic root reconstruction with glutaraldehyde bovine pericardium, mitral valve replacement and full root replacement using stentless bioprosthesis. The patient is well without recurrence of infection, 18 months postoperatively. This procedure might be an alternative treatment for prosthetic valve endocarditis with an extended aortic root abscess.     

Major aortic surgery: from root to diaphragm

Pathologies of the thoracic aorta can be broadly divided into aortic dissections and aneurysms. Here we revise their clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic techniques and treatment options. Surgery of the thoracic aorta still poses some challenges, especially in the emergency setting. Understanding the special intraoperative monitoring systems and surgical adjuncts, concentrating in the protection of the organs at risk of ischaemic-related complications (brain and spinal cord) is paramount for successful results. Endovascular techniques have emerged in the last decades as acceptable alternatives to open surgery, especially in certain pathologies (e.g. traumatic aortic transection) and anatomical locations (e.g. descending thoracic aorta). However, for areas such as the ascending aorta and the aortic arch, open surgery is still the gold-standard, with more recent addition of hybrid techniques such as the frozen elephant trunk, has extended indications and application of the classical surgical techniques.     

Aortic root replacement with stentless xenograft for aortic dissection

This paper reviewed aortic root replacement with a stentless xenograft for Stanford Type A aortic dissection. Total aortic arch replacement plus aortic root reconstruction with a stentless xenograft was conducted in 2 patients with acute aortic dissection. In another 2 patients, aortic root replacement with a bioprosthesis was performed for chronic redissection of the aortic root which might be associated with the previous use of gelatin-resorcin-formalin glue. Full root replacement using this device is safe, reliable, reproducible, and technically less demanding. This device also provides a radical option for acute aortic dissection even in patients requiring concomitant aortic arch and root replacement.     

Short- and long-term outcomes of aortic root repair and replacement in patients undergoing acute type A aortic dissection repair: Twenty-year experience

ObjectiveThe study objective was to evaluate the perioperative and long-term outcomes of aortic root repair and aortic root replacement and provide evidence for root management in acute type A aortic dissection.MethodsFrom 1996 to 2017, 491 patients underwent aortic root repair (n = 307) or aortic root replacement (n = 184) (62% bioprosthesis) for acute type A aortic dissection. Indications for aortic root replacement were intimal tear at the aortic root, root measuring 4.5 cm or more, connective tissue disease, or unrepairable aortic valvulopathy. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, long-term survival, and reoperation rate for root pathology.ResultsPatients' median age was 61 years and 56 years in the aortic root repair group and aortic root replacement group, respectively. The aortic root replacement group had more renal failure requiring dialysis, previous cardiac intervention or surgery, heart failure, coronary malperfusion syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, and severe aortic insufficiency, as well as concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, tricuspid valve repair, and longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp times but similar arch procedures. Perioperative outcomes were similar in the aortic root repair and aortic root replacement groups, including in-hospital mortality (8.5% and 8.2%), new-onset renal failure requiring permanent dialysis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and sepsis. Kaplan–Meier 10-year survival was 62% and 65%, and the 15-year cumulative incidence of reoperation was 11% and 7% in the aortic root repair and aortic root replacement groups, respectively. The primary indication for root reoperation was aortic root aneurysm in the aortic root repair group and bioprosthetic valve deterioration in the aortic root replacement group.ConclusionsAortic root repair and aortic root replacement are appropriate surgical options for acute type A aortic dissection repair with favorable short- and long-term outcomes. Aortic root replacement should be performed for patients with acute type A aortic dissection presenting with an intimal tear at the aortic root, root aneurysm 4.5 cm or greater, connective tissue disease, or unrepairable aortic valvulopathy.     

Long-term outcomes after ascending aortic replacement and aortic root replacement for type A aortic dissection

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESWe investigated whether the selective use of supracoronary ascending aorta replacement achieves late outcomes comparable to those of aortic root replacement for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD).METHODSPatients who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection from 2005 to 2018 at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, were included in this analysis. Late mortality was evaluated with the Kaplan–Meier method and proximal aortic reoperation, i.e. operation on the aortic root or aortic valve, with the competing risk method.RESULTSOut of 309 patients, 216 underwent supracoronary ascending aortic replacement and 93 had aortic root replacement. At 10 years, mortality was 33.8% after aortic root replacement and 35.2% after ascending aortic replacement (P = 0.806, adjusted hazard ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval, 0.77–2.02), and the cumulative incidence of proximal aortic reoperation was 6.0% in the aortic root replacement group and 6.2% in the ascending aortic replacement group (P = 0.65; adjusted subdistributional hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.15–1.89). Among 71 propensity score matched pairs, 10-year survival was 34.4% after aortic root replacement and 36.2% after ascending aortic replacement surgery (P = 0.70). Cumulative incidence of proximal aortic reoperation was 7.0% after aortic root replacement and 13.0% after ascending aortic replacement surgery (P = 0.22). Among 102 patients with complete imaging data [mean follow-up, 4.7 (3.2) years], the estimated growth rate of the aortic root diameter was 0.22 mm/year, that of its area 7.19 mm²/year and that of its perimeter 0.43 mm/year.CONCLUSIONSWhen stringent selection criteria were used to determine the extent of proximal aortic reconstruction, aortic root replacement and ascending aortic replacement for type A aortic dissection achieved comparable clinical outcomes.     

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement and aortic valve repair for a 2-year-old girl with Loeys–Dietz syndrome

We report the case of a 2-year-old girl with Loeys–Dietz syndrome complicated by aortic root dilatation and aortic regurgitation. We performed valve-sparing aortic root replacement with reimplantation technique and aortic valve repair using central plication and free-margin reinforcement simultaneously. The postoperative course was uneventful and the latest echocardiography, 5 years after procedure, revealed trivial aortic insufficiency.     

Pseudoaneurysm developed after aortic root homograft implantation

A 55-year-old man with severe infective endocarditis underwent aortic root replacement using a homograft concomitant with saphenous vein grafting to the left anterior descending artery. The patient developed angina due to stenosis of the proximal anastomosis of the vein graft accompanied by a 2-cm pseudoaneurysm. This complex lesion was successfully managed with urgent coronary artery bypass surgery through a left thoracotomy, followed by a redo replacement of the old aortic homograft The mechanism and the basis of the treatment strategy adopted for this case are described.     

主动脉腔内修复术治疗腹主动脉瘤或夹层合并腹部恶性肿瘤

目的 观察主动脉腔内修复术（EVAR）治疗腹主动脉瘤（AAA）或腹主动脉夹层（AAD）合并腹部恶性肿瘤的价值。方法 回顾性分析17例接受EVAR治疗的AAA（n=14）/AAD（n=3）合并腹部恶性肿瘤患者,其中12例于EVAR后接受腹腔镜肿瘤切除术、1例接受开腹肿瘤切除术,4例因心肺功能欠佳仅接受药物治疗;观察EVAR治疗效果。结果 EVAR成功率为100%,术中无严重不良反应及并发症;术后1个月CTA显示支架位置良好、通畅。术后随访1~28个月,期间均未见明显并发症,亦未见AAA/AAD相关死亡病例。结论 EVAR治疗AAA/AAD合并腹部恶性肿瘤效果较佳。     

Simultaneous individually controlled upper and lower body perfusion for valve-sparing root and total aortic arch replacement: a case study

Optimal perfusion strategies for extensive aortic resection in patients with mega-aortic syndromes include: tailored myocardial preservation, antegrade cerebral perfusion, controlled hypothermia and selective organ perfusion. Typically, the aortic arch resection and elephant trunk procedure are performed under hypothermic circulatory arrest with myocardial and cerebral protection. However, mesenteric and systemic ischemia occur during circulatory arrest and commonly rely upon deep hypothermia alone for metabolic protection. We hypothesized that simultaneously controlled mesenteric and systemic perfusion can attenuate some of the metabolic debt accrued during circulatory arrest, which may help improve perioperative outcomes. The perfusion strategy consisted of delivering a 1 to 3 liter per minute flow at 25 degrees C to the head/upper body via right axillary graft and simultaneous perfusion to the lower body/ mesenteric organs of 1 to 3 liters per minute at 30 degrees C via a right femoral arterial graft. We describe our technique of simultaneous mesenteric, systemic, cerebral and myocardial perfusion, and protection utilized for a young male patient with Marfan's syndrome, while undergoing a valve sparing root replacement, total arch replacement and elephant trunk reconstruction. This perfusion technique allowed us to deliver differential flow rates and temperatures to the upper and lower body (cold head/warm lower body perfusion) to minimize ischemic debt and quickly reverse metabolic derangements.