Extended aortic root replacement with aortic allografts or pulmonary autografts in children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the early results and effectiveness of left ventricular outflow tract enlargement with aortic allograft or pulmonary autograft in children with complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. METHOD: The records of 30 children who underwent aortic root enlargement and replacement with either an aortic allograft (22 patients) or pulmonary autograft (8 patients) between January 1987 and June 1997 were reviewed. The predominant diagnosis was complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 19), associated with aortic incompetence in 11 children. Before root enlargement, 27 children underwent surgical valvotomy (14 patients), balloon dilatation (10 patients), or both interventions (3 patients). Mean age at root enlargement was 5.4 +/- 3.5 years (range, 2 days-16 years). Most of the children (27 patients) underwent a Konno aortoventriculoplasty. Concomitant septal myectomy was performed in 4 children, mitral valve procedure in 5 children, and endocardial fibroelastosis resection in 1 child. RESULTS: Five children (17%) died in hospital. Four of these were infants less than 2 months old. All had acute aortic incompetence as the result of recent intervention necessitating urgent operation. The fifth child, aged 10 years, died of myocardial failure 2 weeks after the operation. During the follow-up period (mean length, 4.1 +/- 2.8 years), sudden death occurred in 1 child 3 months after the operation. Follow-up echocardiograms (obtained for 23 of the surviving 24 children within 3 +/- 2.3 years) showed a left ventricular outflow tract gradient reduced from a mean of 65 to 11 mm Hg (P =.001); Z value increased from a mean of -0.5 to 4.1 (P <. 001), and aortic incompetence was trivial or mild except in 2 children. CONCLUSION: Urgent aortic root enlargement in decompensating neonates carries higher mortality rates. In older children, the early results of root enlargement and implantation of allograft or autograft are good.     

Patch Enlargement of the Aortic and the Mitral Valve Rings with Aortic-Mitral Double-Valve Replacement

In 1 patient, patch enlargement of the aortic valve ring was accomplished by extending the aortic incision into the anterior mitral leaflet. The pericardial patch broke from the aortic leaflet of the mitral valve on the fourth postoperative day. The resultant acute mitral incompetence necessitated mitral valve replacement also. An aortic-mitral double-valve replacement with attendent enlargement of both the aortic and mitral valve rings ensued. To our knowledge, enlargement of the aortic and mitral valve rings with aortic-mitral double-valve replacement has not been described in the literature.     

Mitral valve replacement in patients after aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve replacement in patients who previously had undergone aortic valve replacement is a technical challenge. The rigid aortic prosthesis limits visualization of the anterior mitral annulus and placement of sutures. METHODS: Reoperative mitral valve replacement was performed in five patients after aortic valve replacement. Two patients underwent resternotomy to allow verification of normal aortic prosthetic valve function. Anterolateral right thoracotomy was used for reentry in the remaining three patients. Exposure of the anterior mitral annulus was accomplished by initial traction on the intact anterior leaflet, with resection of this leaflet only after placement of sutures. RESULTS: All patients survived the surgical procedure and are well 2 to 30 months after operation. In one patient it was impossible to open one cusp of the mitral prosthesis, nor was it possible to rotate the valve. The valve was reimplanted, but sutures were tied only after testing for full free cusp motion. CONCLUSIONS: When appropriate, right thoracotomy incision offers excellent exposure of the mitral valve with minimal dissection. Placement of sutures along the anterior portion of the annulus is facilitated by traction downwards on the anterior leaflet. Full range of motion of the prosthetic cusps should be verified before tying the sutures.     

Aortoventriculoplasty: a new technique for the treatment of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Aortoventriculoplasty is a new method of treatment for left ventricular outflow tract obstructions. The concept is based on creating a surgical defect which is patched in such a way as to provide the largest possible outflow to the left ventricle. The incision of the aorta continues down as far as necessary, with the right ventricular wall, the aortic ring, and the septum being cut. Reconstruction with an inner Dacron patch on the septum is completed by replacing the aortic valve with an adequate prosthesis, covering the aortic incision with the same patch, and patching the right venticular opening with an outer patch. This method was used in 4 children with tunnel-like subaortic stenosis, 3 of whom had had unsuccessful previous surgical attempts. Other associated lesions including parachute mitral valve were also corrected during aortoventriculoplasty. Hemodynamic results were excellent following this operation. Two patients died postoperatively, one from advanced myocardial damage and progressive failure and the other from cerebral ischemia caused by insufficient retrograde perfusion through an aortic coarctation that was not repaired earlier. No arrhythmias were observed following the procedure. The other 2 patients are well 7 and 5 months postoperatively with excellent hemodynamic function.     

Successful management of early aortic root abscess with aortic homograft implantation in children after Ross operation

The Ross operation is the best surgical procedure for aortic valve replacement in children of all age groups. A 3.5 years old boy developed early autograft endocarditis (9 days) following a straightforward Ross operation. Due to progressive neo-aortic valve destruction and aortic root abscess extending to the mitral annulus and valve, the pulmonary autograft had to be removed. A cryopreserved aortic homograft with its attached mitral valve leaflet was used to reconstruct the left ventricular outflow tract and repair the native mitral valve defect.     

经主动脉切口治疗主动脉根部瘤合并二尖瓣病变

目的 总结经主动脉切口治疗主动脉根部瘤合并二尖瓣病变的初步经验。方法 2009年3月至2010年12月,经主动脉瓣口行二尖瓣手术16例中男13例,女3例;年龄18～ 75岁,平均(40±10)岁。16例中Bentall+ MVR术12例,Bentall+ MVP术1例,Bentall+全弓置换+支架象鼻+MVP术1例,...     

Mitral valve replacement with aortic heterografts in humans

The complications associated with the implantation of prosthetic valves and the experimental attempts to graft the mitral valve are described. Because of the disadvantages connected with the use of artificial valves and as the experimental methods of grafting the mitral valve did not prove satisfactory for clinical use, the authors developed a technique for mitral valve replacement using heterologous aortic valves—reinforced by a semirigid Teflon ring—placed above the mitral annulus inside the atrial cavity. The technique of collecting, preparing, and inserting these grafts is described in detail. Using this method, seven patients with mitral incompetence or mitral disease were operated upon between February and April, 1967. One patient died five weeks after the operation from bacterial endocarditis in a period of severe hospital infection with staphylococcus. The other six patients had a very good clinical result immediately after surgery. At the present time they are symptom-free and have normal heart sounds. Clinical and experimental data are discussed concerning the long-term fate of aortic heterografts in the mitral position.     

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...     

Treatment of destructive aortic valve endocarditis with the Freestyle Aortic Root Bioprosthesis

BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of destructive aortic valve endocarditis with annular abscess formation requires extensive surgical debridement and reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract and aortic root. Homograft aortic roots are the conduits of choice, but because they are not available in all cases, alternative conduits are needed. METHODS: Owing to its features, which are comparable to those of homografts, the Freestyle aortic root xenograft was used in 10 consecutive patients aged between 32 and 77 years. All patients had extensive abscess formation, 5 presented with prosthetic valve endocarditis, 2 had additional mitral valve endocarditis requiring partial leaflet resection and reconstruction, 1 patient had an additional fistula into the right atrium, and 1 required coronary bypass. One patient developed a septic ventricular septal defect and fistula into the right atrium with tricuspid valve endocarditis. RESULTS: None of the patients required reoperation for bleeding. Two (20%) patients died in the postoperative period, 1 due to multiorgan failure, and 1 due to preexisting invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. At autopsy, neither had evidence of intrapericardial hematoma or suture dehiscence. One patient died 13 months postoperatively without clinical signs of valve dysfunction or recurrent endocarditis. All other patients are well at 12 to 42 months after surgery. Clinical examination and echocardiography at the most recent follow-up showed no signs of valve dysfunction, recurrent fistulation, or endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: The Freestyle aortic root appears to be an acceptable alternative to homografts in the treatment of severe endocarditis. Long-term valve durability in younger patients, however, remains to be determined.     

Pulmonary vein isolation for chronic atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease: the midterm results.

OBJECTIVE: The Cox Maze procedure is widely performed for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. However it requires numerous incision lines and therefore is a time-consuming operation. We report a simplified operation for chronic atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease. METHODS: Pulmonary vein isolation procedure was performed on atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease in thirteen patients. This simple procedure consisted of isolation of the four pulmonary veins only. Combined mitral valve surgery involved mitral valve plasty, mitral valve replacement with or without aortic valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty. RESULTS: Eleven patients returned to sinus rhythm (84.6%). Mean follow-up time is 32.7 +/- 11.7 months. Three patients required a DDD pacemaker implant for sick sinus syndrome but two out of these three resumed sinus rhythm most of the time recently. Left atrial contraction was detected in eight cases by trans-esophageal echo. One patient died of liver failure two months postoperatively. Eight patients had no blood transfusion. Twelve patients are classified as New York Heart Association class I. CONCLUSION: Compared with the Maze procedure, this operation was less invasive and preserved the atrial appendage and was thought to have a normal level of secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide. This study suggests that the pulmonary vein isolation procedure may be an effective and simple maneuver for atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valvular disease.     

Surgical treatment and their long-term results of the ascending aortic lesions involving coronary arteries

Seventeen patients underwent surgical treatment of the ascending aorta, aortic valve, and coronary artery as well. Diagnosis of 13 patients were annulo-aortic ectasia, 3 had dissecting aneurysm (type I: 2, type II: 1), and one had supra-valvular aortic stenosis. In annulo-aortic ectasia, Bentall's method was carried out in 11 cases, and Cabrol's operation was performed in 3, one of the latter group had received Bentall's procedure 4 years prior to the second operation. One patient died of acute myocardial infarction 3 days following operation, who had severe stenosis of the left anterior descending artery not detected by preoperative angiography. During long-term follow up, 2 patients died of cardiac failure. Three patients had dissection of the ascending aorta and coronary artery (right coronary artery: 2, left coronary artery: 1). The aorta was reconstructed, aortic valve was replaced, and coronary artery was revascularized with saphenous vein graft. They have been alive and well up to post operative 6 years. Right coronary ostioplasty as well as aortic valve replacement and extended aortoplasty were attempted in one patient with Williams' syndrome. This patient had been well until sudden death which occured 11 months after the operation.     

Triangular plication of the anterior mitral leaflet: a new operative technique

This study describes the technique of triangular plication in patients with mitral valve incompetence that is due to segmental anterior leaflet prolapse. A nonabsorbable suture plicates the prolapsed leaflet area towards the ventricular aspect in a triangular fashion by decreasing the suture width towards the leaflet base. Because no leaflet tissue is resected, this technique allows for the intraoperative correction of an imperfect plication. Triangular plication was successful in all except one patient. In this patient, a failed repair was corrected with mitral valve replacement. Freedom from mitral valve incompetence of more than grade 0-I was 100% at 12 months and 86% at 36 months postoperatively.     

Mitral valve replacement with viable aortic homograft valves

Forty consecutive patients underwent mitral valve replacement with viable aortic valve homografts. Viability was assessed by autoradiography in a sample of the aortic wall of the graft at the time of insertion. Sixty to 75% of the fibroblasts were found to be metabolically active.All patients were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV prior to operation. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 37. One patient died in the hospital, and 1 late death occurred 9 months postoperatively. Anticoagulants were discontinued 6 weeks after operation without thromboembolic complications. Thirty-six of the patients showed marked clinical improvement, and only 3 patients were found to have a mild degree of mitral regurgitation by angiography.This experience has encouraged us to continue with this method of mitral valve replacement.     

Midterm result of leaflet extension technique in aortic regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve leaflet extension using glutaraldehyde-fixed autopericardium in aortic regurgitation (AR) is technically demanding, and it is not a popular procedure among surgeons. This study evaluates the effectiveness and clinical feasibility of the leaflet extension technique as a treatment modality for AR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1995 to March 2001, 34 consecutive patients underwent the leaflet extension technique. The mean age of the 26 men and eight women was 31.0+/-14.3 years (range 16-68). They were all diagnosed with pure aortic valve regurgitation, and nine (27.3%) had associated mitral valvular heart diseases. Accurate measurement of the leaflet free margins was performed with a pair of compasses before leaflet extension. Glutaraldehyde-fixed autopericardium was designed according to the free margin lengths. Leaflet extension was performed in three aortic leaflets for 29 patients but only one leaflet was extended in the remaining four. The nine patients with associated mitral valvular heart disease also underwent mitral valvuloplasty. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and ischemic time in 25 isolated AR group were 128.7+/-26.5min (range 70--180) and 101.5+/-25.5min (range 41-150), respectively. RESULTS: There was no incidence of in-hospital mortality. Immediate postoperative echocardiography revealed grade II AR in one, grade I AR in ten and no AR in the remaining 23 patients. Mean follow-up duration was 49.6+/-18.8 months (range 4.1-77.1). Echocardiographic AR grades during follow-up were grade II in 13, grade I in 11 and no AR in eight. The remaining two patients underwent reoperation, one aortic valve replacement because of subacute bacterial endocarditis that occurred 7 months after leaflet extension, and the other Ross operation because of the dehiscence of the valvuloplasty suture site that developed 4 months later (AR associated with Behcet's disease). There was one case of mortality due to malignant mesothelioma 4 years after aortic valvuloplasty. The cumulative survival rate was 94.1% at 5 years. Freedom from reoperation was 93.8% at 1 year and after. CONCLUSIONS: The leaflet extension technique is an acceptable surgical treatment modality for AR and its clinical results were confirmed in this study to be very good. A careful long-term follow-up study will be necessary to evaluate the long-term durability of the glutaraldehyde-preserved autologous pericardium as a leaflet tissue.     

Manouguian法瓣环增宽加主动脉瓣置换术治疗成人小主动脉瓣环

目的总结成人主动脉瓣狭窄伴小主动脉瓣环行瓣环增宽并替换主动脉瓣的经验。方法 12例病人行主动脉瓣环增宽并替换主动脉瓣。手术径路均采用Manouguian法：将主动脉斜切口下延伸,经无冠瓣与左冠瓣交界处向下,垂直切开瓣环至二尖瓣基部。采用绦纶片内衬自体心包片作为增宽材料,替换23 mm或25 mm主动脉瓣;同期行二尖瓣替换4例。结果 1例同期行二尖瓣置换者因严重低心排死于手术当晚;1例术后第7 d因心包填塞经剑突下引流后痊愈;肺部感染并发呼吸功能不全1例,经气管切开及呼吸机支持1周后痊愈;1例主动脉根部明胶海绵物填充后感染于术后12 d再次开胸清除腐烂明胶海绵,并留管冲洗引流而愈。本组术后住院13~20 d,平均（16.2±1.5）d;11例患者均获随访,时间5~84个月,平均（36.7±21.2）个月,心功能恢复至Ⅰ级5例,Ⅱ级6例,无远期死亡。结论对大多数小主动脉瓣环,采用Manouguian术式简单易行,不需切开二尖瓣基部,已能满足替换23 mm或25 mm瓣膜,增宽材料易得,效果可靠。     

Eleven-year follow-up study of aortic or aortic-mitral anulus-enlarging procedure by Manouguian's technique.

Although Manouguian's operation is well established, there have been little long-term data published on its outcome. From January 1980 to June 1988, 15 patients underwent patch enlargement of the small aortic anulus by Manouguian's approach, either with aortic single valve replacement (7 patients) or with aortic-mitral double valve replacement (8 patients). Follow-up ranged from 3.0 to 11.4 years (mean 8.5) and was completed with a cumulative total of 102 patient-years. One patient died of fulminant hemolysis, probably related to turbulent jet flow and Dacron patch material (operative mortality 6.7%). There were four late deaths, and the actuarial survival, including operative death at 10 years, was 62% +/- 14%. Reoperations were performed seven times in six patients. Most of these complications were not considered to be caused by the anulus-enlarging procedure. Actuarial freedom rate from reoperation at 10 years was 65% +/- 15%. Four patients underwent rereplacement of prostheses for Hancock valve failure during 2.9 to 11.3 years (mean 8.2 years). The anulus enlargement was found to be well healed and presented no problem during reoperation. Surgically induced mitral regurgitation by Manouguian's procedure was observed in two patients. The regurgitation did not progress during follow-up duration of 1.9 to 10.0 years, nor did it cause congestive heart failure. Annular enlargement by Manouguian's procedure with use of mechanical valves is one of the good selections in patients with the narrow aortic valve ring.     

Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in infants. Which operation? When?

The surgical management of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in infants and small children remains controversial, because the ideal surgical procedure and the optimal time for operation are yet to be determined. From 1977 to 1985, 22 patients less than 4 years of age (mean age 18.2 months) underwent direct aortic reimplantation of the anomalous left coronary artery. There were five operative deaths (23%, confidence limits 13%-36%). The determinant risk factor of early mortality was the severity of preoperative left ventricular dysfunction (p = 0.05), not age at operation (p = 0.64) or preoperative clinical status (p = 0.36). There were not late deaths (mean follow-up 38 months). All survivors but one were symptom free. The reimplanted anomalous left coronary artery was patent in each reevaluated case (9/17). Left ventricular function improved significantly in all survivors. Moderate to severe preoperative mitral incompetence lessened in all patients but one, without mitral valve repair. When technically feasible, direct aortic reimplantation of the anomalous left coronary artery is an attractive procedure because it offers a high rate of patency and avoids the potential drawbacks of procedures involving autogenous venous or arterial tissue. Optimal intraoperative myocardial preservation and institution of temporary left ventricular assistance at the end of the operation may decrease the operative risk. Left ventricular function nearly always recovers after successful revascularization, and resection of left ventricular myocardium is rarely indicated, if ever. Mitral incompetence almost always lessens, and the mitral valve should not be repaired at initial operation; however, residual mitral incompetence may necessitate reoperation in a few cases. In infants with moderate left ventricular damage (usually asymptomatic with medical therapy), surgical treatment should be delayed until 18 to 24 months of age so that it can be performed with a low operative risk. Infants with severely impaired left ventricular function and persistent congestive heart failure should probably undergo operation as soon as the diagnosis has been made.     

二尖瓣成形术在感染性心内膜炎二尖瓣关闭不全治疗中的应用

目的评价二尖瓣成形术治疗感染性心内膜炎二尖瓣关闭不全的疗效。方法自2002年3月至2012年1月共有33例感染性心内膜炎二尖瓣关闭不全患者在北京阜外心血管病医院接受二尖瓣成形术,其中男23例、女10例,年龄10～67（35.7±17.8）岁。13例有心脏基础解剖病变。术前二尖瓣轻度反流5例,中度反流15例,重度反流13例。心功能分级（NYHA）Ⅰ级5例,Ⅱ级23,Ⅲ级4例,Ⅳ级1例。所有患者均行二尖瓣成形术,活动期手术14例。同期行主动脉瓣置换术6例,三尖瓣成形术5例,冠状动脉旁路移植术1例,左心房粘液瘤切除术1例,主动脉窦瘤修补术1例。成形方法包括心包修补穿孔5例,瓣叶切除缝合17例,双孔法成形3例,腱索转移及人工腱索5例,15例使用人工成形环。结果围术期死亡1例,于术后7 d并发急性心肌梗死死亡。32例存活患者均康复出院。出院前超声心动图提示：左心室舒张期末内径、左心房内径分别为（48.9±7.6）mm及（31.7±7.4）mm,较术前有明显改善（P=0.000）。32例患者完成随访,随访时间6～125（73.0±38.6）个月。随访期间无死亡,无心内膜炎复发及出血栓塞等并发症。1例术后3年因二尖瓣狭窄而行二尖瓣机械瓣置换术。心功能分级（NYHA）Ⅰ级25例,Ⅱ级5例,Ⅲ级2例。二尖瓣有少量反流4例,中量反流1例,无反流26例;舒张期二尖瓣流速偏快（1.7 m/s）1例,主动脉瓣中量反流1例。左心室舒张期末内径及左心房内径与术后早期比较差异无统计学意义,射血分数较术后早期改善（60.9%±6.6%vs.57.5%±6.7%;P=0.043）。结论二尖瓣成形术治疗感染性心内膜炎二尖瓣关闭不全疗效可靠,左心房、左心室内径显著减小,心功能改善明显。     

Extended aortic root replacement with aortic allografts

Complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after operation for subaortic stenosis or with hypoplastic aortic anulus remains a challenge for pediatric cardiac surgeons. We have recently applied a new technique of extended aortic root replacement using a cryopreserved aortic allograft to treat two patients who had previously been operated on for subaortic stenosis and a third who had aortic stenosis with a hypoplastic aortic anulus. This new procedure combines the concept of aortoventriculoplasty with aortic root replacement and coronary artery reimplantation. The valved aortic homograft is used in place of an aortic valve prosthesis and the attached anterior mitral leaflet augments the interventricular septum to relieve the subvalvular left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The coronary ostia are then reimplanted into the allograft and an anastomosis between the distal graft and the ascending aorta is completed. Allograft aortic tissue is then used to patch the right ventricular outflow tract. One patient had aortic stenosis with annular hypoplasia and did well after extended root replacement. Two patients had previous operations for subaortic stenosis before undergoing extended aortic root replacement. One required mediastinal exploration and drainage at 2 weeks for Serratia marcescens mediastinitis and bacteremia, but uncomplicated recovery followed. The other patient had complete heart block for 2 days, but normal sinus rhythm resumed and convalescence was benign. This modified technique with the aortic allograft was very helpful in treating these difficult problems, and the lack of mortality, limited morbidity, and good functional results are encouraging.     

Bilateral pneumothorax and rupture of dissecting aortic aneurysm following a mitral valve replacement in Marfan syndrome: a case report]

A 12-year-old girl with Marfan syndrome was referred to our department because of severe mitral regurgitation. The patient was pale and in a pre-shock condition. The echocardiogram revealed a chordae rupture of the posteromedial papillary muscle at the posterior leaflet. A moderate dilatation of the aortic annulus (30 mm) and the ascending aorta (45 mm) without aortic regurgitation was also observed. Emergent mitral valve replacement was performed without replacement of the aortic valve or the ascending aorta. After two months, the patient developed bilateral pneumothorax, which was resistant to continuous suction therapy and finally required surgical treatments. Despite the relatively uneventful recovery, a lethal rupture of dissecting aortic aneurysm into the pericardial cavity, developed four months after the initial operation. We discussed the desired surgical approaches and respiratory problems in patients with connective tissue disorder.