Objective: To evaluate the recent and mid-term results of aortic valve replacement for aortic valve insufficiency with large left ventricle.
Methods: From Dec 1999 to Jan 2006, 31 patients with aorta insufficiency with the left ventricle larger than 80 mm, 30 males and 1 female, aged (36 -/+ 11), underwent aortic valve replacement and were followed up after discharge by mail and/or telephone call for (46 +/- 23) months (3-85 months), and followed up by ultrasonography for (25 +/- 24) months (3-70 months). The ultrasound cardiographic data were analyzed. Groups were divided according to heart function and LVED to analyze risk factors after operation.
Results: One case died before discharge from the hospital and 3 cases died during the follow-up. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) after operation was (69 +/- 11) mm, significantly smaller than that before operation [(86 +/- 8) mm, P = 0.001]. The LVEDD continued to decrease during the follow-up and became (55 +/- 10) mm. The ejection fraction early during the follow-up was (58 +/- 15), significantly higher than that before operation [(48 +/- 13)%, P = 0.001]. The heart function and LVEDD before operation had little effects on the long term mortality and left ventricle function. Conclusion The patients with aortic valve insufficiency and large left ventricle still have indication for surgical treatment and most of such patients have good results in mid-term follow-up.