Valve-Sparing Neo-Aortic Root Replacement for Neo-Aortic Root Dilatation 20 Years after Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries: A Case Report

A 25-year-old man returned to Seoul National University Children's Hospital with mild dyspnea on exertion. He had undergone an arterial switch operation at 1 month after birth to correct a complete transposition of the great arteries and a ventricular septal defect. When the patient was 15 years old, dilatation of the neo-aortic sinus and annulus was first identified; since then, it had gradually increased. Given the young age of the patient and the degree of aortic regurgitation (AR), which was mild to moderate, we opted to perform a valve-sparing neo-aortic root replacement with aortic valve repair. Postoperative echocardiography showed successful reductions in the sizes of the aortic sinus and annulus, with only mild AR remaining.

The David procedure through a right anterior minithoracotomy

A right anterior minithoracotomy is the least-frequently utilized approach in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery; moreover, this access is rarely used for aortic root procedures. With careful patient selection, some technical considerations, e.g. institution of peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, and a sufficient learning curve, the right anterior minithoracotomy can become a convenient access for surgical interventions on the aortic root. We present the case of a 31-year-old female patient with Marfan syndrome and severe aortic regurgitation due to an aortic root aneurysm. We demonstrate a step-by-step guide through the David procedure via a right anterior minithoracotomy.

Valve-sparing root reimplantation with a Valsalva graft for a trileaflet aortic valve

Valve-sparing root reimplantation has become an attractive alternative to conventional aortic root replacement in young patients as a means to avoid the anticoagulation required for mechanical roots while improving the durability compared to bioprosthetic valved conduits. In this video tutorial, we present our step-by-step process for performing a valve-sparing root reimplantation with a Valsalva graft for a patient with an aortic root aneurysm and a trileaflet aortic valve.

Reimplantation of the aortic valve in patients with tricuspid aortic valve: the Toronto General Hospital experience

Background

Aortic valve sparing operations were introduced three decades ago but controversy remains regarding its appropriateness, reproducibility and durability. This article describes the long-term outcomes of patients who had reimplantation of the aortic valve.

Methods

All patients who had reimplantation of a tricuspid aortic valve at Toronto General Hospital from 1989 through 2019 were selected for this study. Patients were followed prospectively with periodical clinical assessments and imaging of the heart and aorta.

Results

Four hundred and four patients were identified. The median age was 48.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 35.0-59.0] years and 310 (76.7%) were men. There were 150 patients with Marfan syndrome, 20 with Loeys-Dietz syndrome and 33 with acute or chronic aortic dissections. The median follow-up was 11.7 (IQR, 6.8-17.1) years. There were 55 patients alive and without reoperation at 20 years. The cumulative mortality at 20 years was 26.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.6-34.2%], the cumulative incidence of reoperation on the aortic valve was 7.0% (95% CI: 4.0-12.2%) and the development of moderate or severe aortic insufficiency was 11.8% (95% CI: 8.5-16.5%). We could not identify variables associated with reoperation on the aortic valve or with the development of aortic insufficiency. New distal aortic dissections were common in patients with associated genetic syndromes.

Conclusions

Reimplantation of the aortic valve in patients with tricuspid aortic valve provides excellent aortic valve function during the first two decades of follow-up. Distal aortic dissections are relatively common in patients with associated genetic syndromes.

The David procedure for quadricuspid aortic valve repair

Quadricuspid aortic valves are rare but may result in significant aortic regurgitation requiring surgery. To date, valve-sparing root replacement is frequently done in patients with bi- and tricuspid aortic valve pathologies with preserved cusp tissue. Nevertheless, little is known about quadricuspid repair, especially in regard to the optimal surgical technique for long-term durability. We hereby provide a surgical guide to valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the David technique in a young patient with severe aortic regurgitation.

Reimplantation valve-sparing aortic root replacement is the most durable approach to facilitate aortic valve repair

Reimplantation of the aortic valve has been performed for 3 decades, and experience shows that patient selection and meticulous operative technique are crucial to provide excellent clinical outcomes and stable aortic valve function for decades. More than the type of the Dacron graft used for the reimplantation (straight graft or Valsalva graft), we believe that attention to certain technical aspects of this operation is key to a successful and durable aortic valve reconstruction. This article describes the operative procedure as we believe it should be performed based on a learned experience with several hundred cases and summarizes the latest outcomes in a large cohort of patients followed prospectively during the past 3 decades.

Remote results of Florida Sleeve technique in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms and aortic insufficiency

AIM

The aim of our investigation was to assess the remote results of valve-sparing aortic root reimplantation into the graft (Florida Sleeve technique) compared with reimplantation of the aortic valve into the graft (David technique) during surgical correction of ascending aortic aneurysms accompanied by concomitant aortic insufficiency.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our single-centre, blind, prospective, randomized study carried out from 2011 to 2015 included a total of 64 patients with ascending aortic aneurysms and aortic insufficiency. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group I - aortic root reimplantation according to the Florida Sleeve technique (FS group) and group II - reimplantation of the aortic valve according to the T. David technique in David I modification (D group). The groups did not statistically differ by the baseline clinical profile.

RESULTS

The overall 7-year survival for the FS group and D group amounted to 83% and 85.6%, respectively (p=0.98). Assessing the competing risks of mortality related to cardiovascular or other causes revealed no differences. Freedom from prosthetic repair of the aortic valve in the remote follow-up period amounted to 92.8% and 85.8% for the FS group and D group, respectively (p=0.4). According to the obtained findings, the technique of a valve-sparing operation is not a predictor of either lethality (RR 0.98 (95% CI 0.23-4.15), p=0.98) or prosthetic repair of the aortic valve (RR 2.03 (95% CI 0.40-14.63), p=0.40) in the remote period of follow up.

RCONCLUSION

Aortic root reimplantation inside the prosthesis according to the Florida Sleeve technique makes it possible to simplify and accelerate the procedure of aortic root reconstruction in patients with aortic root aneurysms and concomitant aortic insufficiency, demonstrating long-term results comparable with those of the David technique.

A reimplantation valve-sparing root replacement (T. David-V) and aortic valve repair procedure in a patient with Marfan syndrome

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the reimplantation technique (T. David-V operation) has become the gold standard in patients with annuloaortic ectasia, given that the aortic valve is morphologically intact or repairable. The benefits of preserving the native aortic valve extend beyond avoiding the inconvenience and complications of prolonged exposure to anticoagulants. This video tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to the T. David-V procedure in a male patient with Marfan syndrome, annuloaortic ectasia, and moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation.

Impact of Aortic Valve Function and the Need for Aortic Valve Repair on Long-Term Outcomes of Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement: 13-Year Experience of David Operation

BACKGROUND

The best approach for aortic root disease remains controversial. Composite valve-graft conduit (CVG) replacement offers good results at short-term and long-term follow-up; on the other hand, valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) has proven to be an excellent treatment alternative. This study aimed to analyse the outcomes after VSARR and compare whether preoperative moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and or the need for aortic valve repair (AVR) during this procedure influenced survival and freedom from reoperation rates.

METHODS

From September 2005 to June 2018, 104 patients underwent VSARR using the reimplantation technique: 64% presented with preoperative moderate or severe AR, concomitant AVR was performed in 43.3%, Marfan syndrome was present in 16.3%, and 12.5% had a bicuspid aortic valve. Complete follow-up was obtained in 91% of the sample, echocardiographic results were available for 86% and the mean follow-up time was 1,893 days.

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality was 2.9% and one death occurred 42 days after hospital discharge. In the latest echocardiographic assessment, 88.3% presented with mild AR or better. Freedom from reoperation at 8 years was 95.4%. There was no case of endocarditis and one patient had a stroke 2 years after the operation. There were no between-group differences in morbidity, mortality and complications during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

VSARR can be performed with low mortality rates and reasonable durability of the aortic valve. Neither moderate or severe AR nor the need for aortic valve repair during the procedure altered survival and freedom from reoperation.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David I procedure) in Marfan disease: single-centre 20-year experience in more than 100 patients†

OBJECTIVES

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) is recommended for patients with aortic root dilatation and preserved aortic valve cusp morphology. The durability of VSARR in Marfan patients has been questioned. The aim of our study was to establish the long-term outcomes of VSARR in Marfan patients.

METHODS

Between 1993 and 2015, 582 patients underwent VSARR (David I reimplantation) at our institution. Of these patients, 104 had Marfan disease. Thirteen surgeons performed the procedures in this group. The mean follow-up time was 12 ± 5.4 years (1201 patient-years).

RESULTS

Early mortality was 0.96%, and long-term survival was 91% at 10 years and 76% at 20 years in Marfan patients. Marfan patients had a significantly better survival compared to non-Marfan patients (P < 0.0001). Freedom from aortic-valve reoperation was 86% at 10 years and 80% at 20 years in Marfan patients. The reoperation rate was similar in Marfan and non-Marfan patients (P = 0.60). Morphological perioperative features (untreated prolapse, commissural plasty, cusp plasty and graft size mismatch) predicted long-term mortality (P = 0.0054). Graft size mismatch and untreated prolapse predicted structural valve deterioration (both P < 0.0001). Long-term valve function in event-free survivors was excellent [mean gradient 4.2 (2.9-6.9), 98% aortic regurgitation ≤ mild]. There were no valve-related thromboembolic or bleeding events. The endocarditis rate was 0.96%. Only 17% of the patients were on oral anticoagulants during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

VSARR using the David I reimplantation technique results in excellent long-term outcomes in Marfan patients. We present the longest follow-up period so far. The genetic disease does not affect long-term valve function. The durability of the repair is affected by morphological perioperative criteria depending on surgical expertise, and dedicated training is recommended.

Minimally invasive aortic root surgery: Midterm results in a 2-year follow-up

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) via partial upper sternotomy (PUS) for aortic root surgery represents an alternative to the full median sternotomy (FMS). PUS offers less operative trauma. We analyzed the midterm outcome of root replacement (Bentall) or valve-sparing root replacement (David) via PUS to evaluate the safety of this access.

METHODS

Between November 2011 to April 2017, a total of 47 consecutive patients underwent aortic root surgery with aortic aneurysm and/or localized aortic dissection through Bentall or David operation through PUS mean age (57.9 ± 10.5 years). Bentall operation was performed in 36 patients (77%), whereas 11 patients (23%) received a David procedure. The outcome was carried out in 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years-follow up.

RESULTS

Mean operation time was 287.3 ± 72.6 minutes, mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time 174 ± 54.8 minutes, mean cross-clamp time 133 ± 33.1 minutes. Rethoracotomy-rate was (4.2%). Superficial wound healing disturbance was (2%) and no deep sternal infection or sternum instability occurred. Hospitalization-and intensive care unit-stay was 11.8 ± 4.4 and 1.9 ± 1.3 days with a total median ventilation-time of 10 (IQR 7.5-13.5) hours. There was no 30-day-mortality. After 2 years the total rate of mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, and redo surgery was (6.3%, 4.2%, and 4.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive aortic root surgery via partial upper sternotomy could be a safe alternative to the full median sternotomy. It requires longer operative times but reduces postoperative morbidity with good postoperative outcome.