Repair of Aorto‐Left Ventricular Tunnel Arising from the Left Sinus of Valsalva

Abstract Aortico‐left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital cardiac defect that bypasses the aortic valve via a para‐valvular connection from the left ventricle to the aorta. In most cases, the tunnel arises from the right aortic sinus. In this case report, we are presenting a case of ALVT, of which the aortic orifice arose from the left aortic sinus, requiring special attention to avoid the left coronary artery injury at the time of surgical repair . (J Card Surg 2010;25:345‐346)     

Surgical repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel arising from the left aortic sinus

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital cardiac defect, which bypasses the aortic valve via the paravalvar connection from the left ventricle to the aorta. In most of the cases, the tunnel arises from the right aortic sinus. We herein report a case of aortico-left ventricular tunnel, of which the aortic orifice was arising from the left aortic sinus, requiring special attention for avoiding left coronary artery injury at the time of surgical repair.     

Aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva after aortic valve replacement in Takayasu arteritis

We herein report a case with an aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva, which developed 14 years after an aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic regurgitation caused by Takayasu arteritis. The aortic wall around the right coronary artery ostium showed calcification, as a result, the modified Bentall procedure and coronary artery bypass to the right coronary artery were successfully performed. A pathological study of the resected aortic sinus wall showed a disruption of the elastic fibers in the media, granuloma formation, and a marked proliferation of the collagen fibers in the adventitia, and these findings were compatible with Takayasu arteritis. The development of an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva late after AVR indicates the necessity of a close and lifelong follow-up for patients with Takayasu arteritis, especially focusing on the aortic root morphology.     

Classification of congenitally bicuspid aortic valve and its angiographic and surgical significance]

From January, 1978 to December, 1990, 85 patients with congenital bicuspid aortic valve underwent aortic valve replacements (AVR) with St. Jude Medical valve prosthesis. We classified congenital bicuspid aortic valve into four types. Type I (44.7%): Two cusps are situated right and left, a coronary artery arises from each related sinus of valsalva. Type II (22.4%): Type I + raphe in the right cusp. Type III (3.5%): one cusp is located anteriorly, the other posteriorly and both coronary arteries arise from anterior cusp. Type IV (29.4%): Type III + raphe in the anterior cusp. Regarding to preoperative diagnosis, aortic stenosis dominated in Type I (78.8%) and aortic regurgitation dominated in Type IV (72.0%). Implanted valve sizes were 22.2 +/- 1.8 (Type I), 23.4 +/- 1.6 (Type II) and 24.0 +/- 2.2 (Type IV). There was a significant difference between Type I and Type II, same as Type I and Type IV. Babb's method and outflow measurement method were utilized to predict the aortic annular size. However, both of them were not reliable for estimating the size of the aortic annulus in cases of aortic stenosis undergoing AVR with a 21 mm prosthesis.     

Acute type a aortic dissection complicated with acute inferior myocardial infarction following aortic valve replacement

Acute aortic dissection complicated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most fatal situation. We experienced the successful treatment for acute type A aortic dissection complicated with inferior AMI following aortic valve replacement (AVR). A 60-year-old man had had AVR for aortic regurgitation. Sixteen months after the AVR, he had a sudden onset of severe chest pain with complete atrioventricular block. Immediately, temporary pacing and cardiac catheterization were conducted, showing the occlusion of the right coronary artery due to acute type A aortic dissection. On his way to our hospital, direct current shock was conducted 3 times for ventricular fibrillation. We replaced the ascending aorta combined with coronary artery bypass grafting and the postoperative course was uneventful. The key to treat acute aortic dissection complicated with AMI is early accurate diagnosis, prompt temporary pacing for bradycardia, defibrillation for lethal arrhythmia and insertion of a perfusion catheter if possible. These preoperative hemodynamic stabilization gives us the chance to save these patients.     

Different characteristics of postoperative heart failure after surgery for aortic stenosis and coronary disease

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative heart failure (PHF) remains a major determinant of outcome after cardiac surgery. However, possible differences in characteristics of PHF after valve surgery and coronary surgery (CABG) have received little attention. Therefore, this issue was studied in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) and CABG, respectively. DESIGN: Three hundred and ninety-eight patients undergoing isolated AVR for aortic stenosis were compared with 398 patients, matched for age and sex, undergoing on-pump isolated CABG. Forty-five AVR and 47 CABG patients required treatment for PHF and these were studied in detail. RESULTS: The AVR group had longer aortic cross-clamp time and higher rate of isolated right ventricular heart failure postoperatively. Myocardial ischemia during induction and perioperative myocardial infarction were more common in the CABG group. One-year mortality was 8.9% in the AVR group vs 25.5% in the CABG group (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PHF was similar in both groups but different characteristics were found. Isolated right ventricular failure and PHF precipitated by septicemia were more common in AVR patients. PHF was more clearly associated with myocardial ischemia and infarction in CABG patients, which could explain their less favorable survival.     

On-pump beating aortic valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation due to infective endocarditis

A 37-year-old man was suffering from pneumonia and severe aortic regurgitation due to acute aortic valve endocarditis with the annular abscess with Staphylococcus aureus. Preoperative serum brain natriuretic peptide was over 2,000 pg/ml. Preoperative arterial oxygen saturation was 82% on mechanical ventilation (Fio2: 1.0) with nitric oxide inhalation. Under a full median sternotomy, total normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass was established. Using the normothermic retrograde continuous coronary sinus perfusion of oxygenated blood, on-pump beating aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed. Veno arterial bypass was required for 72 hours postoperatively. Postoperative course was otherwise uneventful. On-pump beating AVR seemed to be one of the useful procedures for a high-risk patient.     

Optimal insertion technique for the Bj?rk-Shiley valve in the narrow aortic ostium

The Bj?rk-Shiley tilting disc valve was used for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 250 consecutive patients between 1977 and 1982. One hundred and ninety-six patients had isolated AVR, and 54 had combined procedures (double- or triple-valve replacement in 31, associated coronary artery bypass grafting in 20, and miscellaneous procedures in 3). A special technique for inserting large Bj?rk-Shiley valves without using outflow patches or annuloplastic procedures was developed. This method included allowing the right portion of the aortic incision to end about 0.5 cm above the noncoronary sinus; the use of simple interrupted sutures; placement of the prosthetic sewing ring on top of the annulus of the noncoronary sinus, thereby tilting the valve slightly in the outflow tract; and routine orientation of the major opening of the valve toward the annulus of the noncoronary sinus. This orientation resulted in the largest effective orifice area at postoperative catheterization. None of the male patients received a valve smaller than 23 mm, and none of the female patients were given a valve smaller than 21 mm. The convexoconcave model of the Bj?rk-Shiley valve was used in 71% of the patients. An outflow patch was required only in 1 patient with concomitant supravalvular stenosis of the aorta. The combination of adequate myocardial protection, comparatively short aortic cross-clamping times, and the use of large, properly oriented Bj?rk-Shiley valves resulted in satisfactory postoperative hemodynamics in all patients. In fact, none of the 196 patients undergoing isolated AVR and only 5 (9%) of the 54 patients undergoing combined procedures required postoperative inotropic stimulation. There were no operative deaths, and all patients left the hospital in good condition. The Bj?rk-Shiley tilting disc valve is a reliable and well-functioning aortic valve substitute that is particularly suited for patients with narrow aortic ostia. With attention to certain details in the insertion technique, encouraging clinical results can be obtained with this prosthesis.     

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel: late follow-up

Since 1970, 6 patients have undergone repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel. Four (67%) had repair in childhood. The technique of closure was by direct suture (5 patients) or patch closure (1 patient). Associated anomalies were seen in 5 patients (83%); absent right coronary ostium (1), commissural fusion (stenosis) (2), valvular regurgitation (3), leaflet defects (2), and healed endocarditis (1). All patients survived operation. At early postoperative review, 67% had mild aortic regurgitation regardless of the technique of surgical repair. Late follow-up revealed that 3 patients (50%) underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) for progressive aortic regurgitation at a mean of 10 years following initial operation. A review of the literature and our results lead us to conclude that progressive aortic regurgitation is common; it is due to associated valve abnormalities and changes in the valve mechanism secondary to the aortico-left ventricular tunnel. Long-term clinical follow-up is necessary, since 50% of patients will require AVR eventually. Early operation is indicated not only to prevent heart failure but also to prevent progression of damage to the aortic valve.     

Repair of Aortico–Left Ventricular Tunnel Originating From the Left Aortic Sinus

We report on a case of an 11-year-old asymptomatic child with aortico–left ventricular tunnel arising from the left aortic sinus. Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed a dilated aortic root with mild aortic valve incompetence and demonstrated the course of the tunnel, which originated from the left coronary sinus entering the outlet portion of the left ventricular outflow tract. Patch closure of the aortic end of the tunnel eliminated left ventricular volume overload with immediate marked reduction of cardiomegaly. At 10-month follow-up the child is asymptomatic and receiving no oral medications. Control two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography shows trivial central aortic valve incompetence.     

Risk factors influencing the prognosis of severe aortic valve disease following aortic valve replacement

As a result of improvement in intraoperative and postoperative management, severe aortic valve disease can be cured by operation, however, late cardiogenic sudden death after aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been existed as one of the important unsolved problem. This report is aimed to predict the risk factors influencing the postoperative prognosis of severe aortic valve disease. Twenty-three cases with aortic regurgitation (AR) and 20 cases with aortic stenosis (AS) were selected by postoperative period over 12 months. In 18 AR cases with normal coronary artery substantiated by selective coronary angiography, cross sectional area index of left ventricular wall (CSAI) and ST depression in left chest leads of electrocardiogram correlated well as the CSAI increased, so decreased the ST segment. This shows the increment of CSAI leads left ventricular endocardial ischemia. By means of introduction of this indicator, 23 AR and 20 AS patients were divided into two groups as group C-I having CSAI over 20 cm2/m2 and group C-II under 20 cm2/m2. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was selected as an predictive indicator of left ventricular function. As same as CSAI, AVR cases were divided into two groups as group E-I having EF under 50% and E-II over 50%. Each group was compared concerning with the complication rate of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LOS) and late cardiogenic sudden death. In C-I group of AR, 55% cases accompanied with LOS, 18% died due to LOS and 18% died suddenly from late cardiogenic cause, however, none of cases in C-II group had these complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characteristics and long-term outcomes of aortico-left ventricular tunnel

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESAortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is an extremely rare, abnormal paravalvular communication between the aorta and the left ventricle. Few studies have identified the characteristics and long-term prognosis associated with ALVT. METHODSThe data of 31 patients with ALVT from July 2002 to December 2019 were reviewed. Echocardiography was performed in all patients during the follow-up period.RESULTSThe median age of the patients was 11.5 years. Bicuspid aortic valve and dilatation of the ascending aorta were found in 13 patients, respectively. The aortic orifice in 20 patients showed a close relation to the right sinus and the right–left commissure. Of the 31 patients, 26 were operated on. Mechanical valve replacement was performed in 4 patients and aortic valve repair, in 6 patients. Ascending aortoplasty was performed in 5 patients and aortic replacement was done in 2 patients. One patient died of ventricular fibrillation before the operation. Follow-up of the remaining 30 patients ranged from 1 to 210 months (median 64 months). There were 4 deaths during the follow-up period: 1 had mechanical valve replacement and 3 did not undergo surgical repair. In the 26 patients without aortic valve replacement, 6 had severe regurgitation and 2 had moderate regurgitation. In the 28 patients without replacement of the ascending aorta, 11 had continued dilatation of the ascending aorta, including those who had aortoplasty.CONCLUSIONSThe aortic orifice of ALVT showed an association with the right sinus and the right–left commissure. For patients who did not have surgery, the long-term survival rate remained terrible. Surgical closure should be done as soon as possible after ALVT is diagnosed. The main long-term complications after surgical repair included aortic regurgitation and ascending aortic dilatation.     

Beating heart aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass surgery with a patent internal mammary artery graft

Re-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with a patent internal mammary artery (IMA) graft may present a challenging surgical problem. Thus, strategies to prevent IMA graft injury include avoiding its dissection and leaving the graft open. However, when aortic cross clamping and cardioplegia are required, this approach may be associated with cardioplegia washout, suboptimal myocardial protection, and anterior myocardial wall injury. We herein describe an alternative technique for AVR on the beating heart in 4 patients with patent IMA grafts. The IMA was left unclamped and continuous retrograde coronary sinus perfusion (RCSP) was administered. Additional simultaneous antegrade venous bypass graft perfusion was established according to the extent of native coronary artery disease as well as patency and level of aortic proximal anastomoses. Using additional coronary ostia backflow control, the aortic valve was successfully replaced on the beating heart in all four cases without perivalvular leak. Postoperatively, low creatine kinase-MB fraction levels and preserved or improved ventricular function suggested very good myocardial protection. No myocardial infarction occurred in any patient. In our experience, aortic valve replacement on the beating heart using simultaneous antegrade-retrograde blood perfusion is a safe and effective method in this challenging subset of patients to prevent myocardial injury and to minimize the risk of patent IMA injury.     

Simple repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel in a newborn with early prenatal diagnosis

We report a case with very early antenatal diagnosis of aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) at 22 weeks of pregnancy. Early recognition of ALVT by antenatal ultrasound allows prompt neonatal management and avoidance of harmful aortic valve regurgitation. The present case is unique because of the conjunction of very early antenatal diagnosis, prompt postnatal management, early surgical repair on the sixth day of life, direct closure from the aorta of the aortic orifice only, and optimal postoperative course with excellent mid-term result.     

A case report of aortitis syndrome with massive aortic regurgitation (AR), and ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery

A 55-year-old female with massive aortic regurgitation and ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery due to aortitis syndrome was reported. The patient was admitted to the hospital with anterior chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. Retrograde aortogram showed massive aortic regurgitation and selective coronary angiogram revealed ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery. She was treated with aorto-coronary bypass (A-C bypass) and aortic valve replacement (AVR) with St. Jude Medical prosthetic valve. At operation, ostial stenosis of the right coronary artery due to aortitis syndrome was confirmed. Aortic valve replacement with a prosthetic valve and saphenous vein grafting to the distal right coronary artery were performed. Steroid therapy was started immediately after the operation. She recovered well and no complications was recognized after the operation.     

Percutaneous aortic valve replacement: overview and suggestions for anesthestic management

Transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (AVR) is increasingly used for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, who have high operative mortality for surgical placement during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Retrograde transfemoral AVR is usually performed during sedation, whereas antegrade transapical AVR is done with general anesthesia. Both procedures can be carried out without CPB. Extended hemodynamic monitoring, including pulmonary artery catheterization and transesophageal echocardiography, may be useful. Transfemoral AVR requires placement of a transvenous right ventricular pacing lead. Typical complications include local bleeding, obstruction of the coronary ostia, and neurological insult due to embolization of sclerotic material. Aortic regurgitation due to paravalvular leakage or inadequate device expansion also may occur. Renal function may deteriorate on excessive application of contrast medium. Atrioventricular blocks may occur later rather than after conventional AVR which tend to occur immediately.     

Separate Origin of the Main Components of the Left Coronary Artery in Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

This study describes a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly in the Syrian hamster; namely, the separate origin of the obtuse marginal and left circumflex arteries which are the main components of the left coronary artery. The hearts of nine affected animals were examined by means of a corrosion‐cast technique and histology. The hamsters belonged to a laboratory inbred family with a high incidence of coronary artery anomalies and bicuspid aortic valve. The aortic valve was tricuspid in three hamsters and bicuspid in the other six hamsters. In all cases, the right coronary artery was normal, whereas the left coronary artery main trunk was absent. The present anomalous coronary artery patterns could be classified into two main entities: (i) ectopic origin of the obtuse marginal artery from the right aortic sinus or from the right coronary artery, with the left circumflex artery arising from the left side of the aortic valve; and (ii) ectopic origin of both the obtuse marginal artery from the right aortic sinus or from the right coronary artery and left circumflex artery from the dorsal aortic sinus. In all cases, the obtuse marginal artery coursed to the right side of the heart through the ventral wall of the right ventricular outflow tract. When the left circumflex artery arose from the dorsal aortic sinus, it formed an acute angle with the aortic wall. This report seems to be the first to describe the separate origin of the main components of the left coronary artery in a non‐human mammalian species. In man, the congenital coronary artery and aortic valve defects reported herein may entail the risk of clinical complications. However, none of the affected hamsters showed signs of disease.     

Different characteristics of postoperative heart failure after surgery for aortic stenosis and coronary disease

Objective—Postoperative heart failure (PHF) remains a major determinant of outcome after cardiac surgery. However, possible differences in characteristics of PHF after valve surgery and coronary surgery (CABG) have received little attention. Therefore, this issue was studied in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) and CABG, respectively.

Design—Three hundred and ninety‐eight patients undergoing isolated AVR for aortic stenosis were compared with 398 patients, matched for age and sex, undergoing on‐pump isolated CABG. Forty‐five AVR and 47 CABG patients required treatment for PHF and these were studied in detail.

Results—The AVR group had longer aortic cross‐clamp time and higher rate of isolated right ventricular heart failure postoperatively. Myocardial ischemia during induction and perioperative myocardial infarction were more common in the CABG group. One‐year mortality was 8.9% in the AVR group vs 25.5% in the CABG group (p?=?0.05).

Conclusions—The incidence of PHF was similar in both groups but different characteristics were found. Isolated right ventricular failure and PHF precipitated by septicemia were more common in AVR patients. PHF was more clearly associated with myocardial ischemia and infarction in CABG patients, which could explain their less favorable survival.     

主动脉窦瘤破裂的外科治疗及远期疗效

目的 总结主动脉窦瘤破裂的临床特点及外科疗效,讨论对合并感染性心内膜炎及主动脉瓣关闭不全患者的处理.方法 回顾性分析1997年9月至2007年9月43例主动脉窦瘤破裂患者的临床资料.其中男性32例,女性11例;年龄11～50岁,平均年龄(29.0±11.5)岁.破口源于右冠状动脉窦34例,无冠状动脉窦9例.破入有心室30例,右心房8例,右心室及右心房3例,破人室间隔2例.合并室间隔缺损26例,主动脉瓣关闭不全15例,感染性心内膜炎8例,三尖瓣反流6例,房间隔缺损4例,二尖瓣反流2例,动脉导管未闭2例,肺动脉赘牛物1例.全部患者于心肺转流下行窦瘤修补及合并畸形矫治术.结果 无围手术期死亡.并发症5例,包括急性左心功能衰竭3例,Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞2例.随访6～120个月,平均(68.0±17.7)个月;2例分别于术后第6、8年行主动脉瓣置换术,2例进展为Ⅱ级主动脉瓣父闭小全.结论 主动脉窦瘤破裂外科治疗可获得满意效果.对合并主动脉瓣关闭小全及感染性心内膜炎的患者应早期手术,积极防治术后并发症并长期随访.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting combined with aortic valve replacement in healthy octogenarians does not increase postoperative risk

OBJECTIVE: Critical aortic stenosis with or without coronary artery disease is increasingly common in octogenarians. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but indications and results of aortic valve replacement (AVR), particularly when combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are debated. We investigated whether the combined procedure of AVR and CABG increased postoperative risk compared with isolated AVR in otherwise healthy octogenarians. DESIGN: In the period 1994-1998, AVR was performed in 94 patients above 80 years, the majority in NYHA class III and IV. Combined AVR and CABG was performed in 52/94 patients. The patients were studied retrospectively by collecting data from hospital records and followed for 0-7 years. RESULTS: Mean age was 82 +/- 2.3 years, sex (male/female) 33/61, left ventricular ejection fraction 70 +/- 18%, transvalvular peak pressure gradient 63 +/- 20 mmHg and aortic valve area 0.5 +/- 0.2 cm(2). Early mortality (< 30 days) was 4/42 (9.5%) after AVR and 4/52 (7.6%) after AVR and CABG (p = NS between groups). Three-year survival was 33/42 (78.5%) after AVR and 42/52 (80.7%) after AVR and CABG (p = NS between groups). CONCLUSION: AVR with concomitant CABG in octogenarians with aortic stenosis who are otherwise healthy, may be performed without increased risk.