Ventricular energetics in aortic root replacement for annuloaortic ectasia with aortic regurgitation

Aortic root replacement (Bentall operation) is the standard operation for patients who have lesions of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valve disease. We analyzed the mid-term results for left ventricular energetics after the Bentall operation for annuloaortic ectasia with aortic regurgitation. We measured left ventricular contractility (end-systolic elastance; Ees), afterload (effective arterial elastance; Ea), and efficiency (ventriculoarterial coupling; Ea/Ees, and the ratio of stroke work and pressure-volume area; SW/PVA) based on transthoracic echocardiography data before, after, and approximately 1 year after the Bentall operation in 15 patients with annuloaortic ectasia with aortic regurgitation. Left ventricular volume was calculated by the Teichholz M-mode method. Ees and Ea were approximated as follows: Ees = mean blood pressure/minimal left ventricular volume, and Ea = systolic blood pressure/(maximal left ventricular volume — minimal left ventricular volume). Ea/Ees and SW/PVA were then calculated. Left ventricular volume was normalized with body surface area. Ees increased after the Bentall operation and around 1 year later (from 2.17 ± 1.09 to 3.92 ± 2.26 and 5.33 ± 1.90 mmHg·m²/ml, P < 0.001), thus resulting in an improvement in SW/PVA (from 68.8 ± 8.2 to 70.9 ± 9.5 and 74.7 ± 5.2%, P = 0.045). Ea also increased after the Bentall operation and 1 year later (from 1.77 ± 0.61 to 2.88 ± 1.28 and 3.54 ± 1.43 mmHg·m²/ml, P < 0.001). The mid-term results for ventricular contractility and efficiency after the Bentall operation for annuloaortic ectasia with aortic regurgitation are excellent and satisfactory.