Surgery of the aortic root: should we go for the valve-sparing root reconstruction or the composite graft-valve replacement is still the first choice of treatment for these patients?

Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc. 2015 Jul-Sep;30(3):343-52. doi: 10.5935/1678-9741.20150028.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the results of the root reconstruction with the aortic valve-sparing operation versus composite graft-valve replacement.

Methods: From January 2002 to October 2013, 324 patients underwent aortic root reconstruction. They were 263 composite graft-valve replacement and 61 aortic valve-sparing operation (43 reimplantation and 18 remodeling). Twenty-six percent of the patients were NYHA functional class III and IV; 9.6% had Marfan syndrome, and 12% had bicuspid aortic valve. There was a predominance of aneurysms over dissections (81% vs. 19%), with 7% being acute dissections. The complete follow-up of 100% of the patients was performed with median follow-up time of 902 days for patients undergoing composite graft-valve replacement and 1492 for those undergoing aortic valve-sparing operation.

Results: In-hospital mortality was 6.7% and 4.9%, respectively for composite graft-valve replacement and aortic valve-sparing operation (ns). During the late follow-up period, there was 0% moderate and 15.4% severe aortic regurgitation, and NYHA functional class I and II were 89.4% and 94%, respectively for composite graft-valve replacement and aortic valve-sparing operation (ns). Root reconstruction with aortic valve-sparing operation showed lower late mortality (P=0.001) and lower bleeding complications (P=0.006). There was no difference for thromboembolism, endocarditis, and need of reoperation.

Conclusion: The aortic root reconstruction with preservation of the valve should be the operation being performed for presenting lower late mortality and survival free of bleeding events.

Objetivo: Analisar comparativamente os resultados da operação de preservação da valva aórtica e do tubo valvulado nas reconstruções da raiz da aorta.

Métodos: No período de janeiro de 2002 a outubro de 2013, 324 pacientes foram submetidos à reconstrução da raiz da aorta. Foram 263 tubos valvulados e 61 preservações da valva aórtica (43 reimplantes e 18 remodelamentos). 26% dos pacientes estavam em classe funcional III e IV; 9,6% com síndrome de Marfan e 12% apresentavam valva aórtica bivalvulada. Houve predomínio dos aneurismas sobre as dissecções (81% contra 19%), sendo 7% de dissecções agudas. O seguimento completo de 100% dos pacientes foi realizado com tempo mediano de seguimento de 902 dias para pacientes submetidos à tubo valvulado e de 1492 para aqueles submetidos à preservação da valva aórtica.

Resultados: A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 6,7% contra 4,9% respectivamente para tubo valvulado e preservação da valva aórtica (ns). No seguimento tardio, a insuficiência aórtica importante foi de 0% e 5,8%, e a insuficiência cardíaca crônica, classe funcional I e II de 89,4% e 94%, respectivamente, para tubo valvulado e preservação da valva aórtica (ns). A reconstrução da raiz da aorta com a preservação da valva aórtica apresentou menor mortalidade tardia (P=0,001) e menos complicações hemorrágicas (P=0,006). Não houve diferença para tromboembolismo, endocardite ou necessidade de reoperação.

Conclusão: A reconstrução da raiz da aorta com a preservação valvar deve ser a operação a ser realizada por apresentar menor mortalidade e sobrevida livre de eventos hemorrágicos.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aorta / surgery*
  • Aortic Diseases / mortality
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery*
  • Aortic Valve / surgery*
  • Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / mortality
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / mortality
  • Heart Valve Diseases / surgery*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / mortality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marfan Syndrome / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Sparing Treatments / methods*
  • Organ Sparing Treatments / mortality
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Reoperation
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome