Aortic valve repair in patients with aortic regurgitation: Experience with the first 100 cases

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to analyze short- and mid-term results of aortic valve repair.Material and methodsOne hundred consecutive patients (24 females; mean age 50.3 years, range 23–77 years) with aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve repair between November 2007 and October 2012. Sixty patients had bicuspid aortic valve, and 82 patients demonstrated aortic regurgitation greater than mild (> grade 2). The ascending aorta/aortic root was replaced in 67 patients. Aortic cusp repair was necessary in 74 patients and additional aortic annulus stabilization was required in 48 cases. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 59 months (cumulative of 220 patient-years, median 25 months) and was complete in 100%.ResultsThere was no 30-day mortality and two patients died in the follow-up. The overall 4-year survival was 98% and freedom from cardiac death was 99% at 4 years. During the follow-up eight patients underwent aortic valve-related reoperation due to progression of aortic regurgitation and another six patients showed aortic regurgitation more than mild (> grade 2). In both aspects there was no statistically significant difference between patients without and with aortic root replacement (p=0.402 and p=0.650). There were no significant bleeding or thromboembolic events during the follow-up.ConclusionsShort- and mid-term data analysis revealed an excellent survival and acceptable results of aortic repair, comparable with other larger published studies. We think, therefore, aortic valve repair should be a part of contemporary cardio-surgical armamentarium, especially in younger patients with an appropriate indication.