Impact of obesity on long-term survival after aortic valve replacement with a small prosthesis

Competitive Sports Participation is Associated with Decreased Risk of Obesity in Children with Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Individuals with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have historically been advised to avoid contact sports and isometric exercise for risk of increasing aortic dilation and valve disease. There is mounting evidence that current sports participation guidelines qualify children for a high rate of sports exclusion, and that this population is at increased risk of obesity. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between sports participation and aortic dilation in children with bicuspid aortic valve and secondarily the relationship between competitive sports participation and obesity. We performed a review of children between the ages of 8 and 17 years with isolated BAV followed at Oregon Health & Science University. We excluded those with other congenital heart diseases, genetic conditions, prior cardiac intervention, and inability to ambulate independently. Parents completed a phone survey detailing their child's level of daily activity and participation in competitive sports. Demographic information and most recent echo findings were collected from the electronic medical record. We found no difference between the aortic diameters of athletes vs non-athletes. We also found that sports participation and daily activity were both associated with a decreased likelihood of obesity (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.078-0.73 and OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.081-0.71 respectively). In summary, in our sample population, competitive sports participation was associated with a decreased risk of obesity. Competitive sports participation does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of aortic dilation in our population.

Konno-Rastan Combined with Manougiaun Root Enlargement for Small Aortic Root with Coronary Anomaly in a Young Woman

Aortic root enlargement (ARE) is an established procedure to deal with small aortic annulus. It becomes very important to place adequate size prosthesis to prevent patient–prosthesis mismatch (PPM). Aortic root enlargement procedures procedures are technically demanding operations, particularly in obese patients. The presence of coronary artery anomalies adds more complexity to the procedure. We present an interesting case of a 22-year-old obese female with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis and anomalous coronary arteries. We successfully performed aortic valve replacement using the combined Konno aortoventriculoplasty and Manouguian posterior aortic root enlargement. Combined aortic root enlargement techniques techniques should be considered in the presence of major coronary anomalies.

Long-term Mortality Predictors in Patients with Small Aortic Annulus Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement with a 19- or 21-mm Bioprosthesis

Introduction

Replacement of the aortic valve in patients with a small aortic annulus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A prosthesis-patient mismatch is one of the main problems associated with failed valves in this patient population.

Objective

To evaluate the long-term mortality predictors in patients with a small aortic annulus undergoing aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study, a total of 101 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement from January 2000 to December 2010 were studied. There were 81 (80.19%) women with a mean age of 52.81±18.4 years. Severe aortic stenosis was the main indication for surgery in 54 (53.4%) patients. Posterior annulus enlargement was performed in 16 (15.8%) patients. Overall, 54 (53.41%) patients underwent concomitant surgery: 28 (27.5%) underwent mitral valve replacement, and 13 (12.7%) underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Results

Mean valve index was 0.82±0.08 cm(2)/m(2). Overall, 17 (16.83%) patients had a valve index lower than 0.75 cm(2)/m(2), without statistical significance for mortality (P=0.12). The overall 10-year survival rate was 83.17%. The rate for patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement was 91.3% and 73.1% (P=0.02) for patients who underwent concomitant surgery. In the univariate analysis, the main predictors of mortality were preoperative ejection fraction (P=0.02; HR 0.01) and EuroSCORE II results (P=0.00000042; HR 1.13). In the multivariate analysis, the main predictors of mortality were age (P=0.01, HR 1.04) and concomitant surgery (P=0.01, HR 5.04). Those relationships were statistically significant.

Conclusion

A valve index of < 0.75 cm(2)/m(2) did not affect 10-year survival. However, concomitant surgery and age significantly affected mortality.