Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots. 2017

Reza Tavakoli, and Peiman Jamshidi, and Max Gassmann
Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Zurich; Zurich Center of Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich; reza.tavakoli@uzh.ch.

In patients with small aortic roots who need an aortic valve replacement with biological valve substitutes, the implantation of the stented pericardial valve might not meet the functional needs. The implantation of a too-small stented pericardial valve, leading to an effective orifice area indexed to a body surface area less than 0.85 cm2/m2, is regarded as prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM). A PPM negatively affects the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and thus the normalization of left ventricular function and the alleviation of symptoms. Persistent left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In the case of predictable PPM, there are three options: 1) accept the PPM resulting from the implantation of a stented pericardial valve when comorbidities of the patient forbid the more technically demanding operative technique of implanting a larger prosthesis, 2) enlarge the aortic root to accommodate a larger stented valve substitute, or 3) implant a stentless biological valve or a homograft. Compared to classical aortic valve replacement with stented pericardial valves, the full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts offers the possibility of implanting a 3-4 mm larger valve in a given patient, thus allowing significant reduction in transvalvular gradients. However, a number of cardiac surgeons are reluctant to transform a classical aortic valve replacement with stented pericardial valves into the more technically challenging full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts. Given the potential hemodynamic advantages of stentless aortic xenografts, we have adopted full-root implantation to avoid PPM in patients with small aortic roots necessitating an aortic valve replacement. Here, we describe in detail a technique for the full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts, with emphasis on the management of the proximal suture line and coronary anastomoses. Limitations of this technique and alternative options are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010496 Pericardium A conical fibro-serous sac surrounding the HEART and the roots of the great vessels (AORTA; VENAE CAVAE; PULMONARY ARTERY). Pericardium consists of two sacs: the outer fibrous pericardium and the inner serous pericardium. The latter consists of an outer parietal layer facing the fibrous pericardium, and an inner visceral layer (epicardium) resting next to the heart, and a pericardial cavity between these two layers. Epicardium,Fibrous Pericardium,Parietal Pericardium,Pericardial Cavity,Pericardial Space,Serous Pericardium,Visceral Pericardium,Cavities, Pericardial,Cavity, Pericardial,Pericardial Cavities,Pericardial Spaces,Pericardium, Fibrous,Pericardium, Parietal,Pericardium, Serous,Pericardium, Visceral,Pericardiums, Fibrous,Pericardiums, Serous,Serous Pericardiums,Space, Pericardial,Spaces, Pericardial
D005260 Female Females
D006350 Heart Valve Prosthesis A device that substitutes for a heart valve. It may be composed of biological material (BIOPROSTHESIS) and/or synthetic material. Prosthesis, Heart Valve,Cardiac Valve Prosthesis,Cardiac Valve Prostheses,Heart Valve Prostheses,Prostheses, Cardiac Valve,Prostheses, Heart Valve,Prosthesis, Cardiac Valve,Valve Prostheses, Cardiac,Valve Prostheses, Heart,Valve Prosthesis, Cardiac,Valve Prosthesis, Heart
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001021 Aortic Valve The valve between the left ventricle and the ascending aorta which prevents backflow into the left ventricle. Aortic Valves,Valve, Aortic,Valves, Aortic
D015607 Stents Devices that provide support for tubular structures that are being anastomosed or for body cavities during skin grafting. Stent
D016277 Ventricular Function, Left The hemodynamic and electrophysiological action of the left HEART VENTRICLE. Its measurement is an important aspect of the clinical evaluation of patients with heart disease to determine the effects of the disease on cardiac performance. Left Ventricular Function,Function, Left Ventricular,Functions, Left Ventricular,Left Ventricular Functions,Ventricular Functions, Left

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