Deep circumferential annuloplasty as an adjunct to repair regurgitant bicuspid aortic valves with a dilated annulus

Quantitative in silico analysis for patient-specific annuloplasty in bicuspid aortic valve regurgitation

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients are more predisposed to aortic regurgitation. Annuloplasty is a crucial therapeutic intervention, however, determining its ideal size remains a clinical challenge. This study aims to quantify the effects of varying annuloplasty sizes on treating BAV regurgitation, providing optimal size range for effective treatment while avoiding complications. Annuloplasty was simulated on a patient-specific BAV model using 19-27 mm diameter Hegar dilators to reduce the basal ring and elastic ring sutures to constrain it. Finite element simulation was performed to simulate BAV motion, followed by computational fluid dynamics simulation to obtain hemodynamic parameters at peak systole. Results show that as the basal ring size decreased, the leaflet coaptation area increased, accompanied by a reduction in maximum principal stress at the coaptation zone. However, the reduction in annuloplasty size significantly elevated the peak systolic flow velocity within the sinus, particularly near the basal ring, leading to a higher wall shear stress in the adjacent region. Moreover, an excessively small basal ring diameter induced a sharp increase in transvalvular pressure gradient. These findings suggest that the small-sized annuloplasty enhances BAV function and durability, whereas excessive ring reduction may aggravate mechanical burden on the aortic root, potentially resulting in long-term complications such as tissue damage and stenosis. Thus, these factors establish critical upper and lower limits for optimal annuloplasty sizing.

Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement State-of-the-Art Review, Part I: Anatomy and Physiology

Aortic valve disease is common, and valve-preserving operations are preferred whenever possible. Valve-sparing aortic root replacement has become an important tool for managing aortic root pathology in children and adults. The learning curve for this operation is challenging, but with increasing experience and technical modifications, early and late outcomes continue to improve. Durable long-term results vary based on the underlying anatomy, pathology, and patient selection, as well as surgeon expertise. The first installment of this Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement State-of-the-Art Review article addresses patient anatomy and physiology as it relates to candidacy for VSRR.

Predictors of long-term stenosis in bicuspid aortic valve repair

OBJECTIVES

The use of modern techniques for bicuspid aortic valve repair has been shown to provide safe and durable results against recurrent regurgitation. However, an emerging body of evidence is indicating that aortic stenosis might be an additional late complication of these procedures. To date, the pathogenesis and clinical impact of aortic stenosis after bicuspid aortic valve repair are poorly understood.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 367 patients with bicuspid aortic valve repair was performed to identify predictors of reoperation for stenosis. Bicuspid aortic valve repair was performed using a combination of procedures on the leaflet, annulus, and aortic root.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 8 years, reoperation for stenosis was required in 33 patients (9.0%). Freedom from reoperation for stenosis was 100%, 99.6%, 91.7%, and 74.9% at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. The following factors were independently associated with reoperation for aortic stenosis: Leaflet or raphe resection with shaving was a protective factor (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.71; P = .004), whereas the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for free-edge running suture (hazard ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-5.57; P = .019), supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta in combination with valve repair (hazard ratio, 5.41; 95% confidence interval, 2.11-13.85; P = .001), and the need for a second aortic crossclamp (hazard ratio, 10.95; 95% confidence interval, 2.80-42.80; P = .001) were associated with increased risk of reoperation for aortic stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

While confirming previous findings, our analysis suggests that the inability to restore leaflet mobility and polytetrafluoroethylene for free-edge running suture are risk factors for stenosis. The so-called ascending phenotypes are probably more prone to stenosis. If the first attempt to repair is unsuccessful, the risk of late reoperation for aortic stenosis is high.

Aortic Valve-Sparing Operations

Aortic valve-sparing operations were developed >3 decades ago and have become part of the surgical armamentarium to treat patients with aortic root and ascending aortic aneurysms. Although remodeling of the aortic root is physiologically sounder than reimplantation of the aortic valve, most surgeons seem to prefer the latter. This review summarizes the views of one of the pioneers of aortic valve-sparing operation and includes their development, the various modifications that occurred over the years, comparative outcomes with aortic root replacement with valved conduits, outcomes from several recently reported series, and the future directions. The author argues that comparisons between aortic valve-sparing operations and aortic root replacement with valved conduits based on retrospective studies are inappropriate because these 2 types of surgery are performed in patients with different aortic valve pathology. Late outcomes after aortic valve-sparing operations have not been consistent among various reports and raise the question of surgical expertise and patients' selection. Aortic valve-sparing operations are the best treatment for young patients with aortic root aneurysm and normal aortic cusps. Further studies are needed to define their role in the management of patients with diseased aortic cusps.

Redo aortic root surgery post-Ross procedure

Background

Despite numerous advantages of the Ross procedure, it presents a risk of late autograft and right ventricular outflow tract conduit failure. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of autograft dysfunction reoperations using autograft-sparing and root replacement techniques.

Methods

Between 2015 and 2023, 49 patients underwent redo root surgery in our institution. Autograft valve-sparing procedures (VSP) were performed in 20 cases and the Bentall procedure (BP) in 29 patients. The short and long-term clinical outcomes along with echocardiographic results of VSP and BP were investigated.

Results

Overall early mortality rate was 2.0% with no significant difference between the groups. Severe autograft valve insufficiency at the time of redo (OR 4.07, P = 0.03) and patient age (OR 1.07, P = 0.04) were associated with a valve replacement procedure instead of VSP. The median follow-up duration was 34 months. No late deaths occurred in either group. Freedom from VSP failure and aortic prosthesis dysfunction were 93.8% and 94.1% in the VSP and BP groups, respectively. No reoperations were necessary in either group.

Conclusion

Redo aortic root surgery can be safely performed in patients with autograft failure. Both root replacement and autograft valve-sparing procedures demonstrated acceptable results at mid-term follow-up. Early redo surgery pre-empting severe aortic insufficiency increases the likelihood of preservation of the dilated autograft valve.

Surgical dilemma - spare or replace regurgitant aortic valve: Late comparative outcomes of two strategies

BACKGROUND

To evaluate different aortic root surgery techniques and their contemporary clinical outcomes in patients with regurgitant aortic valve and aortic root aneurysm.

METHODS

The study consisted of 141 adult patients who underwent aortic valve reimplantation (David group = 73) or aortic valve replacement surgery (Bentall group = 68) for aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and dilatation of the aortic root at our institution within the same period (April 2004-October 2016). Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival and other clinically relevant outcomes between the groups.

RESULTS

The completeness of clinical follow-up was 100%, with a mean time of 8.0 ± 3.8 years. Thirty-day (in-hospital) mortality rates were equivalent between groups (1.3 and 1.5%, p = 1.0). The overall survival rates at 10 years were significantly better for the David group patients comparing to Bentall group patients (95.3 ± 2.6% vs 79.7 ± 6.8%; p = 0.04) with similar freedom from AV related reoperation (94.4 ± 2.7% vs 98.5 ± 1.5%; p = 0.2). Freedom from bleeding events at 10 years was 90.7 ± 3.6% for Bentall group patients and none were observed among David group patients (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic valve and root surgery can be performed with equivalent safety and efficacy using either valve-sparing (David procedure) or valve-replacing (Bentall procedure) techniques in selected patients. Furthermore, patients after the David procedure demonstrated significantly improved survival and low risk of bleeding in comparison to the Bentall procedure with an acceptable risk of reoperation at 10 years follow-up.

Long-term durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair: a comparison of 2 annuloplasty techniques

OBJECTIVES

To compare long-term outcomes after bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) repair utilizing the Cabrol annuloplasty versus valve sparing Reimplantation technique.

METHODS

From 1996 to 2018, 340 consecutive patients underwent BAV repair. Eighty underwent Cabrol annuloplasty and 189 underwent Reimplantation. Exclusion criteria were re-repairs (n = 6), active endocarditis (n = 4), no annuloplasty (n = 41) and ring or suture annuloplasty (n = 20). We compared both groups for survival, reoperations, valve related events and recurrent severe aortic regurgitation (AR > 2+). Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to balance the 2 groups. Cox regression analysis was used to identify outcome predictors.

RESULTS

After weighting, pre- and intraoperative characteristics were similar between groups, except for aorta replacement techniques and operative time, which was longer in the Reimplantation group (P < 0.001). At 12 years, overall survival was similar between groups (IPW: Cabrol 97 ± 2% vs Reimplantation 94 ± 3%, P = 0.52). Freedom from reoperation and freedom from AR > 2+ were significantly lower in the Cabrol group (reoperation IPW: 69 ± 9% vs 91 ± 4%, P = 0.004 and AR > 2+ IPW: 71 ± 8% vs 97 ± 2%, P < 0.001). The Reimplantation technique was the only independent predictor of reoperation (hazard ratio 0.31; confidence interval 0.19-0.7; P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, comparing 2 annuloplasty strategies for BAV repair, we found statistically significant differences in long-term durability favouring the Reimplantation technique, and no differences in overall survival. The results support our current strategy of Reimplantation technique and repair of AR in patients with BAV. Cabrol annuloplasty is obsolete and should be generally abandoned in patients undergoing BAV repair for AR.

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.

Reimplantation for annular stabilization in bicuspid aortic valve repair

OBJECTIVES

To review the outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve repair with the reimplantation technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2006 to 2018, 46 patients with bicuspid aortic valve underwent the reimplantation procedure for aortic valve repair. Those patients were included in this study. The mean age was 45 ± 15 years and 44 were male. Preoperative echocardiography showed a mean ventriculoaortic junction diameter of 28 ± 3 mm. The mean diameter at the sinus of Valsalva was 41 ± 9 mm. The minimum cusp height was 19 ± 3 mm. Regarding cusp repair technique, central plication was used in 45 patients, free margin reinforcement in 10 patients, and patch repair in 4 patients. Follow-up was performed by annual echocardiography.

RESULTS

There were no hospital deaths. All patients were found with either no/trivial or mild AR on postoperative transesophageal echocardiography. The postoperative ventriculoaortic junction diameter was 23 ± 2 mm and 83 ± 17% preoperatively. Freedom from moderate AR was 85 ± 6% at 5 years, and freedom from reoperation was 93 ± 4% at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Reimplantation for bicuspid aortic valve repair showed acceptable mid-term outcomes.

Geometry of cusp and root determines aortic valve function

The aortic valve is the functional unit of cusp and root. Various geometrical and functional analyses for the aortic valve unit have been executed to understand normal valve configuration and improve aortic valve repair. Different concepts and procedures have then been proposed for reparative approach, and aortic valve repair is still not standardized like mitral valve repair. It has become apparent, however, that interpretation of the geometry of the aortic cusp and root and its appropriate application to operative strategy lead to creating a functioning aortic valve. Herein, the aortic valve geometry and its clinical implications are reviewed to provide information for the selection of appropriate operative strategies.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve: An Update in Morphology, Genetics, Biomarker, Complications, Imaging Diagnosis and Treatment

The bicuspid aortic valve, a kind of heart disease that comes from parents, has been paid attention around the world. Although most bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients will suffer from some complications including aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, endocarditis, and heart dysfunction in the late stage of the disease, there is none symptom in the childhood, which restrains us to diagnose and treatment in the onset phase of BAV. Hemodynamic abnormalities induced by the malformations of the valves in BAV patients for a long time will cause BAV-associated aortopathy: including progress aortic dilation, aneurysm, dissection and rupture, cardiac cyst and even sudden death. At present, preventive surgical intervention is the only effective method used in this situation and the diameter of the aorta is the primary reference criterion for surgery. And the treatment effects are always not satisfactory for patients and clinicians. Therefore, we need more methods to evaluate the progression of BAV and the surgery value and the appropriate intervention time by combining basic research with clinical treatment. In this review, advances in morphology, genetic, biomarkers, diagnosis and treatments are summarized, which expects to provide an update about BAV. It is our supreme expectations to provide some evidences for BAV early screening and diagnosis, and in our opinion, personalized surgical strategy is the trend of future BAV treatment.