Valve-sparing aortic root replacement in adult patients with congenital heart disease

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESAortic root dilatation is frequently observed in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD), but has received little attention in terms of developing a best practice approach for treatment. In this study, we analysed our experience with aortic valve-sparing root replacement in patients following previous operations to repair CHD.METHODSIn this study, we included 7 patients with a history of previous surgery for CHD who underwent aortic valve-sparing operations. The underlying initial defects were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 3), transposition of great arteries (n = 2), coarctation of the aorta (n = 1), and pulmonary atresia with ventricle septum defect (n = 1). The patients’ age ranged from 20 to 40 years (mean age 31 ± 6 years).RESULTSDavid reimplantation was performed in 6 patients and a Yacoub remodelling procedure was performed in 1 patient. Four patients underwent simultaneous pulmonary valve replacement. The mean interval between the corrective procedure for CHD and the aortic valve-sparing surgery was 26 ± 3 years. There was no operative or late mortality. The patient with transposition of great arteries following an arterial switch operation was re-operated 25 months after the valve-sparing procedure due to severe aortic regurgitation. In all other patients, the aortic valve regurgitation was mild or negligible at the latest follow-up (mean 8.7 years, range 2.1–15.1 years).CONCLUSIONSValve-sparing aortic root replacement resulted in good aortic valve function during the first decade of observation in 6 of 7 patients. This approach can offer a viable alternative to root replacement with mechanical or biological prostheses in selected patients following CHD repair.     

Comparison of aortic root replacement in patients with Marfan syndrome

Objectives: Although the aortic-valve-sparing (AVS) reimplantation technique according to David has shown favorable durability results in mid-term and long-term studies, composite valve grafting (CVG) according to Bentall is still considered the standard procedure. Methods: Retrospectively, we evaluated the results of aortic root replacement of patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) who underwent surgery between January 1995 and January 2010. MFS was diagnosed using the Ghent criteria. AVS was used in 58 patients and CVG in 30 patients with MFS. AVS was done for aortic-root aneurysm (n = 48) or aortic dissection type A (n = 10). CVG was used for aortic-root aneurysm in 14 patients or aortic dissection type A in 16 patients. The mean follow-up was 3.2 (95% CI: 2.4–4.2) years. Results: In both groups, 30-day mortality was 0%. Three patients (10.0%) in the CVG group required resternotomy for postoperative bleeding versus two patients (3.4%) in the AVS group (p = 0.3). At follow-up, mortality was 10% in the CVG group versus 3.4% in the AVS group (p = 0.3). Re-operation was required in two patients (3.4%) after AVS and in three patients after CVG (10%) (p = 0.3). Three patients (10.0%) who underwent CVG had endocarditis and two patients (6.7%) had a stroke during follow-up, whereas no endocarditis and stroke occurred after AVS. After 14 years, stratified event-free survival was better in the AVS group (event-free survival was 82.3% vs 58.6%, log-rank test p = 0.086), especially after aneurysm (p = 0.057). After 10 years, freedom from aortic regurgitation ≥II° in the AVS group was 80% for aneurysm and 50% after dissection (p = 0.524). Conclusion: The reimplantation technique according to David was associated with excellent survival, good valve function and a low rate of re-operation, endocarditis, and stroke. There was a trend to better event-free survival for AVS patients making it the procedure of choice in MFS patients.     

主动脉根部瘤外科治疗危险因素和疗效评估

目的 评估主动脉根部瘤外科治疗危险因素和疗效.方法 1996年8月至2009年11月,连续92例主动脉根部瘤手术中男56例,女36例;年龄14～77岁,平均(44.8±1.4)岁.合并主动脉夹层动脉瘤45例,中度以上主动脉瓣关闭不全72例,马方综合征47例.行经典Bentall术59例,纽扣法Bentall术13例,主动脉瓣悬吊术14例,用带主动脉窦人工血管作David Ⅰ术6例.结果 住院死亡8.7%,并发症率31.7%.随访期死亡18例,远期并发症12例.单变量分析术后并发症危险因素为男性、非马方综合征、同期手术、深低温停循环、主动脉阻断≥120 min和术后第1天输血＞1500 ml;住院死亡危险因素为紧急手术、同期手术、主动脉阻断≥120 min、主动脉夹层和术后第1天输血＞1500 ml.Logistic多因素回归分析认为同期手术和术后第1天输血＞1500 ml是并发症和住院死亡危险因素.所有病人1年、5年和10年生存率分别为(97.1±2.0)%、(88.1±4.7)%和(54.0±9.2)%,平均生存(9.9±0.6)年,95%可信区间8.7～11.0.结论 各种主动脉根部瘤手术安全、有效,早、中、长期结果较满意,提倡用纽扣法Bentall术,谨慎选择合适病人作主动脉根部重建术.

Abstract：

Objective Evaluate the outcome of aortic root reconstruction on the analysis of the risk factors influencing surgical results. Methods Between August 1996 and November 2009, 92 patients(56 men, 36 women) aged from 14 to 77years [mean (44.8 ±1.4) years] with aortic root aneurysm underwent aortic root reconstruction. 72 patients had over moderate aortic valve insufficiency. 47 patients suffered from Marfan syndrome. The aortic pathology was aortic dissection in 45. Bentall technique was used in 59 patients, the button technique in 13, the David I with the Valsalva graft in 6 patients and the aortic valve resuspension in 14 patients. Results The hospital mortality rate was 8.7%. The major complications 31. 7%. 18patients died during the period of follow-up. Late complications among 55 survivors were 12. Univariate predictors of the morbidity were the presence of male, non-Marfan, concomitant procedure, deep hypothermia cardiac arrest, aortic cross clamp time and blood infusion. Risk facts for mortality were emergent or urgent operation, aortic dissection, concomitant procedure, aortic cross clamp time and blood infusion. Multivariate analysis revealed risk factors of concomitant procedure and blood infusion were responsible for both morbidity and mortality. The overall long-term survival rate is (97.1 ±2.0)% at 1-year, (88.1 ±4.7)% at 5-year, (54.0 ±9.2)% at 10-year. The mean for survival time is (9.9 ±0.59) years, 95% confidence interval 8.70 -11.01. Conclusion The aortic root restitution procedures are safe and effective in general. The short and long-term outcome is satisfactory. The button technique is the first choice for reimplantation coronary patch. Valve-sparring aortic root reconstructions show promise in safety and applicability.     

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.     

Aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation in a patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

Cardiac manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) comprise a major complication. Herein we report our surgical treatment of aortic regurgitation in a patient with APLS. A 61-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with symptoms of congestive heart failure. Systemic lupus erythematosus had been diagnosed at the age of 36, and immunosuppressive therapy has been continuously performed. APLS was also diagnosed at the age of 55, after which cardiomegaly was noted on chest radiographs and aortic regurgitation was evident on echocardiography. Although immunosuppressive therapy had been continued, cardiac symptoms began to develop. With a presumed diagnosis of valvular disease associated with autoimmune disease, the aortic valve was replaced with a bioprosthesis. Noninfective endocarditis was confirmed in the excised specimen and was likely involved in APLS. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 26 without complications.     

Our experience with aortic root replacement using hand-sewn composite valve graft

Background The purpose of this study is to examine our experience with aortic root replacement using composite valve grafts in patients with proximal aortic disease. Methods and Results Since 1986, 16 patients underwent aortic root replacement using composite valve grafts for various indications which were Marfan's syndrome with annuloaortic ectasia (n=2), aortic regurgitation with ascending aortic aneurysm (n=3), aortic stenosis with regurgitation with poststenotic dilatation (n=9) and progressive aortic dilatation following AVR (n=2). There were 12 males and 4 females. The age range varied between 19 years and 52 years. The choice of conduit was a custom made valved graft using a monoleaflet tilting disc valve (Medtronic Hall valve=11, St Vincent's valve=3, TTK Chitra=1 and Bjork Shiley Valve=1) placed in a Dacron graft (Hemashield=13, Verisoft Cooley=3) prepared using a 4-0 polypropylene suture. The average time taken to construct a valved graft was 20 min±8 min. The coronary implantation was by isolated button technique. There was no size mismatch encountered in any patients. Postoperative bleeding necessitated a delayed sternal closure in 3 patients and re-exploration in another 2. The immediate operative mortality was 2, the cause being ventricular arrhythmia in one and cerebrovascular accident in other. Follow-up period ranged from 2 months to 16 years with a median follow-up of 12 months. One patient had an asymptomatic perigraft collection and no intervention was needed. There was no valve related complications in any of these patients. There was one late death of unknown cause. Conclusions Aortic root replacement using a custom made composite graft offers excellent long-term results, with negligible mortality rate and prosthesis related complications. Custom made grafts make this conduit easily affordable in our country and their performance is comparable to other available composite grafts.     

Impact of aortic root repair or replacement in severe destructive aortic valve endocarditis with paravalvular abscesses on long-term survival

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESSurgical treatment of destructive infective endocarditis consists of extensive debridement followed by root repair or replacement. However, it remains unknown whether 1 is superior to the other. We aimed to analyse whether long-term results were better after root repair or replacement in patients with root endocarditis.METHODSA total of 148 consecutive patients with root endocarditis treated with surgery from 1997 to 2020 at our department were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: aortic root repair (n = 85) or root replacement using xenografts or homografts (n = 63).RESULTSPatients receiving aortic root repair showed significantly better long-term survival compared to patients receiving aortic root replacement (log-rank: P = 0.037). There was no difference in terms of freedom from valvular reoperations among both treatment groups (log-rank: P = 0.58). Patients with aortic root repair showed higher freedom from recurrent endocarditis compared to patients with aortic root replacement (log-rank: P = 0.022). Patients with aortic root repair exhibited higher event-free survival (defined as a combination end point of freedom from death, valvular reoperation or recurrent endocarditis) compared to patients receiving aortic root replacement (log-rank: P = 0.022). Age increased the risk of mortality with 1.7% per year. Multi-variable adjusted statistical analysis revealed improved long-term event-free survival after aortic root repair (hazards ratio: 0.57, 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.95; P = 0.031).CONCLUSIONSAortic root repair and replacement are feasible options for the surgical treatment of root endocarditis and are complementary methods, depending on the extent of infection. Patients with less advanced infection have a more favourable prognosis.Clinical trial registrationUN4232 382/3.1 (retrospective study).     

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.     

心脏术后再次行主动脉根部置换的临床分析

目的 探讨心脏术后再次行主动脉根部置换手术的病因、手术操作及临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析2013年12月至2019年12月30例心脏手术后于我院行再次主动脉根部置换手术患者的临床资料,其中男20例、女10例,年龄(50.4±12.7)岁.再次手术时间间隔(8.0±8.5)年,再次手术原因包括:主动脉窦部扩张及升主动脉瘤1...     

Rare case of severe non-calcific aortic stenosis in an achondroplastic dwarf: surgical consideration

A 41-year-old patient with achondroplasia who had undergone surgery for congenital aortic stenosis >20 years ago presented with dyspnoea due to severe aortic stenosis. Computed tomography confirmed a small (16-mm) aortic annulus, thickened aortic valve leaflets without calcification and subaortic fibrous tissues. Intraoperatively, 3 non-calcific aortic leaflets were observed. Enlargement of the aortic root using a modified Manouguian technique for good exposure enabled the resection of subaortic tissues and replacement of the valve with a mechanical valve. The aortic root can be extremely small in patients with aortic stenosis and achondroplasia. The anatomy of the aortic root should be carefully assessed to enable appropriate surgical planning.     

Patient-specific computational fluid dynamics analysis of transcatheter aortic root replacement with chimney coronary grafts

OBJECTIVESTranscatheter aortic root repair (TARR) consists of the simultaneous endovascular replacement of the aortic valve, the root and the proximal ascending aorta. The aim of the study is to set-up a computational model of TARR to explore the impact of the endovascular procedure on the coronary circulation supported by chimney grafts.Open in a separate windowMETHODSComputed tomography of a patient with dilated ascending aorta was segmented to obtain a 3-dimensional representation of the proximal thoracic aorta, including aortic root and supra-aortic branches. Computed assisted design tools were used to modify the geometry to create the post-procedural TARR configuration featuring the main aortic endograft integrated with 2 chimney grafts for coronary circulation. Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations were run in both pre- and post-procedural configurations using a pulsatile inflow and lumped parameter models at the outflows to simulate peripheral aortic and coronary circulation. Differences in coronary flow and pressure along the cardiac cycle were evaluated.RESULTSAfter the virtual implant of the TARR device with coronary grafts, the flow became more organized and less recirculation was seen in the ascending aorta. Coronary perfusion was guaranteed with negligible flow differences between pre- and post-procedural configurations. However, despite being well perfused by chimney grafts, the procedure induces an increase of the pressure drop between the coronary ostia and the ascending aorta of 8 mmHg.CONCLUSIONSThe proposed numerical simulations, in the specific case under investigation, suggest that the TARR technique maintains coronary perfusion through the chimney grafts. This study calls for experimental validation and further analyses of the impact of TARR on cardiac afterload, decrease of aortic compliance and local pressure drop induced by the coronary chimney grafts.     

非特异性主动脉炎合并主动脉瓣病变的外科治疗

目的 总结非特异性主动脉炎合并主动脉瓣病变初次和再次手术的方法和疗效.方法 2000年1月至2011年6月手术治疗34例非特异性主动脉炎合并主动脉瓣病变患者,其中23例主动脉炎,11例白塞病.初次手术行Bentall术18例,主动脉瓣置换术(AVR) 16例.16例AVR者14例术后并发严重瓣周漏再次手术,其中根部置换术10例,人工带瓣管道8例,同种带瓣管道2例;非原位AVR术后4例.结果 初次手术行Bentall术者18例,随访4个月～11年,均长期生存,无根部假性瘤.再次手术14例均生存,出院.1例行同种带瓣管道置换术患者术后14个月因根部假性瘤破裂死亡.结论 非特异性主动脉炎合并主动脉瓣病变患者术前明确诊断困难,漏诊率极高.初次手术应采用根部置换术,再次手术十分困难,根部置换术可取得比较好的疗效,非原位AVR术操作简单、术中止血容易,术后疗效可靠,是一种可供选择的有效方法.     

Engineering analysis of aortic wall stress and root dilatation in the V-shape surgery for treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESThe study objective was to evaluate the aortic wall stress and root dilatation before and after the novel V-shape surgery for the treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms and root ectasia.METHODSClinical cardiac computed tomography images were obtained for 14 patients [median age, 65 years (range, 33–78); 10 (71%) males] who underwent the V-shape surgery. For 10 of the 14 patients, the computed tomography images of the whole aorta pre- and post-surgery were available, and finite element simulations were performed to obtain the stress distributions of the aortic wall at pre- and post-surgery states. For 6 of the 14 patients, the computed tomography images of the aortic root were available at 2 follow-up time points post-surgery (Post 1, within 4 months after surgery and Post 2, about 20–52 months from Post 1). We analysed the root dilatation post-surgery using change of the effective diameter of the root at the two time points and investigated the relationship between root wall stress and root dilatation.RESULTSThe mean and peak max-principal stresses of the aortic root exhibit a significant reduction, P=0.002 between pre- and post-surgery for both root mean stress (median among the 10 patients presurgery, 285.46 kPa; post-surgery, 199.46 kPa) and root peak stress (median presurgery, 466.66 kPa; post-surgery, 342.40 kPa). The mean and peak max-principal stresses of the ascending aorta also decrease significantly from pre- to post-surgery, with P=0.004 for the mean value (median presurgery, 296.48 kPa; post-surgery, 183.87 kPa), and P=0.002 for the peak value (median presurgery, 449.73 kPa; post-surgery, 282.89 kPa), respectively. The aortic root diameter after the surgery has an average dilatation of 5.01% in total and 2.15%/year. Larger root stress results in larger root dilatation.CONCLUSIONSThis study marks the first biomechanical analysis of the novel V-shape surgery. The study has demonstrated significant reduction in wall stress of the aortic root repaired by the surgery. The root was able to dilate mildly post-surgery. Wall stress could be a critical factor for the dilatation since larger root stress results in larger root dilatation. The dilated aortic root within 4 years after surgery is still much smaller than that of presurgery.     

Posterior aortic plication for tracheal compression by aortic dilatation in infants with congenital heart disease

Two infants with congenital heart disease developed life-threatening airway obstruction due to progressive dilatation of the aorta. Both underwent posterior aortic plication with extracorporeal bypass (9 and 4 months of age). After surgery, the arterial diameter was adequately reduced with a smooth aortic route leading to a wide airway space. Both patients were weaned from the ventilator shortly after surgery and are currently asymptomatic.     

Short-term result of aortic valve replacement with cryopreserved homograft valve in the University of Tokyo Tissue Bank

The short-term results after aortic root replacement with 11 cryopreserved aortic homografts was examined. Since 1998, the University of Tokyo Tissue Bank has supplied 11 aortic homograft valves. Nine of the recipients were male, and the average age was 51.2 years. Nine out of 11 patients had suffered from a serious condition of native or prosthetic valve infectious endocarditis. All of the patients underwent aortic root replacement, and the blood type between the patient and the homograft was matched in 8 of the patients. Only 1 patient died (9.1%) in the short-term due to sepsis. The preoperative degree of aortic valve regurgitation in all of the cases was third or fourth while the regurgitation disappeared after the operation in all of them. Thinking of the serious condition of our cases preoperatively, the 9.1% operative mortality was quite acceptable. Long-term follow-up is necessary to estimate the quality of the homografts.     

Surgical Experience of Full Root Replacement with Freestyle Bioprosthesis: Indications,Surgical Technique,and Results

Purpose. We examined the postoperative clinical results and hemodynamic performance of full root replacement using a freestyle stentless bioprosthesis performed in patients with severe aortic stenosis or aortic root disease. Methods. We performed 17 full root replacements with a stentless bioprosthesis. The mean age of the patients was 73.9 ± 4.1 years, ranging from 63 to 81, and 35% were male. The operative indications were aortic stenosis (AS) in 9 patients, aortic stenosis with regurgitation (ASR) in 4, and aortic regurgitation due to aortic root dissection or annuloaortic ectasia in 4. Results. The valve size of the freestyle bioprosthesis was 25.1 ± 2.6mm, ranging from 21 to 29mm. There were no early or late mortalities. No postoperative aortic regurgitation was found. In the 13 patients undergoing an operation for AS or ASR, peak pressure gradients were 8.5 ± 4.2 and 8.4 ± 5.2mmHg, and LV mass indices were 159.4 ± 19.0 and 106.9 ± 22.6g/m², as determined by echocardiography at 1 and 10 months after operation, respectively. Conclusion. Full root replacement with stentless bioprosthesis is a suitable procedure for patients of advanced age with severe AS, aortic root dissection, or annuloaortic ectasia, because of its superior hemodynamics.     

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。     

Aortic valve leaflet sparing and salvage surgery: evolution of techniques for aortic root reconstruction

Over the past 20 years, a series of procedures have been designed to reconstruct the aortic root of patients with aortic insufficiency, in whom the pathology and hence the surgery spares the valve leaflets. Such techniques have various names. Usually ‘valve sparing’ is used in context with chronic aortic dissection or aortic root aneurysm as in patients with Marfan's syndrome. ‘Aortic valve salvage’ tends to be the term of choice for similar surgical reconstruction in the setting of aortic dissection. ‘Aortic valve repair’ is often chosen when direct surgical procedures are performed on the leaflets themselves. All of the techniques have evolved based upon an increased understanding of the functional anatomy of the aortic root complex. The different technical approaches, their applications and results need to be understood by the cardiology community. The failure modes for such techniques are specific and different from prosthetic valve failure modes, but are adequately followed with echocardiography. Over two-thirds of patients remain free of re-development of significant aortic insufficiency at 8–10 years following surgery. The overall patient survival is more dependent upon the underlying cardiovascular status of the patient than the surgical technique itself. Perioperative mortalities vary between 0 and 6% and are comparable to composite valve+graft techniques and isolated aortic valve replacement, in which the operative mortality approximates 3.3–4%. Long-term results are good to excellent and spare the patient anticoagulation and prosthetic valve disease.