• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.200-208
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• 2007

Background: The effect of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) on the clinical outcome following aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains controversial. This study compared the surgical outcomes of AVR between patients with a patient-prosthesis mismatch and those having undergone an aortic annular enlargement. Material and Method: Six hundred and twenty seven adult patients, who underwent AVR with stented bioprosthetic or mechanical valves, between January 1996 and February 2006, were evaluated. PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) ${\leq}0.85cm^2/m^2$, and Severe if the iEOA${\leq}0.65cm^2/m^2$ PPM was present in 103 (16.4%, PPM group) patients, and severe in 11 (1.8%, SPPM group). During the period of the study, 21 patients underwent an AVR with annular enlargement (AE group). Result: The mean iEOA of the AE group was larger than that of the PPM group ($0.95\;vs.\;0.76cm^2/m^2,\;p=0.00$). The AE group had longer CPB, ACC and operation times than the PPM group, and showed a tendency toward higher operative mortality (14.3% vs. 2.9%, p=0.06). The SPPM group had higher AV pressure gradients (peak/mean) than the AE group (72/45 mmHg vs. 38/25 mmHg, p=0.02/0.06) and suffered more AV related events (AV reoperation or severe aortic stenosis)(45.5% vs. 9.5%, p=0.03). LV masses were not regressed in the patients who experienced an AV related event. Conclusion: During AVR in patients with a small aortic annulus, annular enlargement should be carefully applied taking into account the high risk of operative mortality due to annular enlargement and co-morbidities of patients. Aortic annular enlargement; however, should be considered as an alternative method in patients expected to have a severe PPM after an AVR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1197-1204
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• 1997

Between April 1981 and June 1996, 65 patients had aortic root replacement at our institution. Disease entities were pure aortic annuloectasia in 31 patients(47.7%), Stanford type A aortic dissection with annuloectasia in 8(43.1%), atherosclerotic aneurysm with aortic regurgitation in 4(6.2%), and paravalvular leakage after aortic valve replacement in 2(3.1 %). 34 patients(52.3%) had the clinical stigmata of the Marfan syndrome. The operative procedures were Bentall operation in 61 patients(93.8%); 3 of conventional procedure and 58 of Cabrol's modification, aortic valve-sparing operation in 2(3.1 %), and root replacement with homograft in 2(3.1%). Hospital deaths occurred in 3 patients(4.8%) because of uncontrolled bleeding(1) and bypass weaning failure due to low cardiac output(2), and all had emergency operation with Cabrol's procedure. Postoperative complications developed in 19(29.2%) patients and most of them were transient. Surviving 62 patients have been followed up to cumulative total 315.0 patient-years(mean 60.2 $\pm$42.4 months). Late deaths occurred in 7 patients(11.3%), aneurysmal changes of remaining aorta were detected in 12 patients(19.4%). Actuarial survival rate at 10 years was 72.0 $\pm$ 9.7%, and the subsequent aortic operation-free rate at 10 years was 68.0$\pm$ 8.9% In a multivariate analysis, Marfan syndrome, emergency operation, preoperative dissection, combined arch replacement, and total circulatory arrest emerged as significant risk factors for hospital death or subsequent aortic operation. Over 60 years of age was the only risk factor for late death. Our 16 years'cummulative experience shows that aortic root replacement, mainly by means of Cabrol's procedure, can be applied successfully to variety of aortic root disease. However, long-term follow up will be needed to determine the late result of aortic valve-saving operation and root replacement with homograft. When dissection is present or the distal native aorta is diseased in'Marfan patients, close follow-up is necessary because of the subsequent aneurysmal change of remaining aorta.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 2002

Aortic regurgitation in the pediatrics who had previous cardiac surgery is increased with their improved longterm survival rate and their complexity of heart disease. So the need of aortic valve surgery in pediatrics is also on the increase. A 10-year old boy was admitted for progressive cyanosis and dyspnea on exertion(DOE). The patient had been underwent lateral tunnel Fontan operation before. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization study revealed hepatic vein drained to pulmonary atrium via intrahepatic collaterals, moderate atrioventricular regurgitation, and severe aortic regurgitation due to aortic root dilation. We report a case who had aortic root reconstruction, valvuloplasty of the atrioventricular valve, and hepatic vein ligation successfully Cyanosis and DOE was dramatically improved after the operation

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.88-91
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• 2004

Aortic regurgitation is not a rare complication of Takayasu's disease. Aortic regurgitation may aggravate cerebral ischemic syndrome like syncope in patients with stenotic or occlusive lesions in cerebral branches of aorta secondary to acute or progressive inflammation. In a 34-yrs-old male patient who complained of syncope and exertional dyspnea with occlusion of both carotid arteries and severe stenoses of both subclavian arteries, occlusion of right coronary artery, and aortic regurgitation, his symptom was improved with perioperative aggressive steroid therapy, stent insertion in both subclavian arteries, and aortic valve replacement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2010

The Bentall-DeBono operation is the technique of choice for aortic root replacement. When the patients have contraindications for lifelong anticoagulation, the biologic Bentall operation may be a good option. However, complex reoperation may be required when bioprosthetic degeneration occurs. For this reason, a new technique for simple reoperation after the Bentall operation has recently been performed by some surgeons. We performed a similar technique in two patients with aortic root dilation and for whom aortic valve sparing techniques could not be performed because of an unrepairable valve contour, we think this modification seems to be simple and reproducible for reoperation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1234-1237
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• 1998

Patients with aortic root disease, frequently seen in Marfan syndrome have progressive dilatation of the aortic sinuses and dilatation and distortion of the aortic annulus, leading to aortic incompetence. They are currently treated with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve and reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Recently, we experienced an aortic root replacement with aortic valve preservation in a patient with annuloaortic ectasia. The ascending aorta and sinus was excised except the aortic annulus and aortic valve. The aortic valve was reimplanted inside of a collagen-impregnated tubular Dacron graft. The coronary arteries were also reimplanted. The patient was followed up for six months and reevaluated with the echocardiography. Postoperative Doppler echocardiography revealed normal aortic valve function. With this technique, it is possible to preserve the native aortic valve if the aortic leaflets are anatomically normal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.614-618
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• 2010

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the extent of regression of left ventricular mass after aortic valve replacement in isolated aortic regurgitation. Material and Method: Retrospective analysis of echocardiographic data was collected preoperative and postoperative 1 year. There were 20 patients (12 males, 8 females, mean age $55.8{\pm}11.8$ years, mean body surface area $1.64{\pm}0.19m^2$) with aortic regurgitation from 2002 through 2007. We studied the change of left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall thickness, and left vemtricular muscle index (LVMI). The control group was age matched with normal echocardiographic study results. Patients with combined surgery or infective endocarditis were excluded. Result: Seven cases of tissue valves and thirteen cases of mechanical valve were used. The valve sizes were 21 mm (3 cases), 23 mm (13 cases) and 25 mm (4 cases). The postoperative ($125.5{\pm}42g/m^2$) LVMI has decreased than preoperative LVMI ($212.3{\pm}80g/m^2$, p=0.000) but higher than that of control group ($80.5{\pm}15.9g/m^2$, p=0.000). Postoperative septal wall (systolic/diastolic: $13.5{\pm}3.4mm/17.1{\pm}4.1mm$) and left ventricular posterior wall (systolic/diastolic: $12.9{\pm}3.4mm/16.7{\pm}3.4mm$) thickness were slightly decreased after the valve replacement but was not significantly different than preoperative levels. And postoperative interventricular septal wall and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (systolic/diastolic: $8.6{\pm}1.4mm/12.1{\pm}1.7mm$, systolic/diastolic: $8.4{\pm}1.4mm/13.2{\pm}1.9mm$) were higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The significant regression of LVMI after aortic valve replacement developed at postoperative one year but the level was higher than control group. The main cause of decreased LVMI is decreased in left ventricular dimension.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.763-769
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• 1998

Background: Supravalvular aortic stenosis is a rare form of congenital cardiac anomaly involving ascending aorta distal to coronary orifice. Materials and methods: We operated 12 cases of supravalvular aortic stenosis between July 1986 and March 1997. Age ranged from 4 to 17(mean 10.2) years and 11 of them were male. Nine patients had clinical features of Williams syndrome. We experienced two types of supravalvular aortic stenosis, including 10 hour glass type and 2 diffuse type. Results: Preoperative transaortic pressure gradient ranged from 40 to 180(mean 92) mmHg by cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary stenosis was associated in 5 and 2 of them required angioplasty. Operative techniques included 6 standard aortoplasty with elliptical patch, 4 extended aortoplasty with inverted Y shaped patch, and 2 modified Brom's repair. There were no operative deaths. Postoperative echocardiographic evaluation was done at a mean interval of 12 months. Grade I or II aortic regurgitation was found in 3 cases. Postoperative cardiac catheterization revealed a mean transaortic pressure gradient of 26 (range 0 to 75) mmHg. A mean pressure drop was 78(range 30 to 114) mmHg. All patients were followed up for a mean of 40(range 1 to 67) months with uneventful clinical course. Conclusions: Our data proved the low mortality and excellent hemodynamic improvement after surgical relief of supravalvular aortic stenosis in children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.274-282
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• 2002

Background: Paravalvular leakage or false aneurysm developed after isolated aortic valve replacement(AVR) for aortic regurgitation(AR) associated with Behcet's disease is one of the most serious complications, and requires subsequent reoperations. We describe the surgical result of homograft aortic root replacement(ARR) for AR associated with Behcet's disease. Material and Method: From January 1992 to December 2001, 6 patients with AR associated with Behcet's disease underwent 7 ARR with homograft and 1 Ross operation. Five patients were male and one was female. The grafts used for ARR were 5 aortic and 2 pulmonic homografts. Ages at operation ranged from 27 to 51 years(mean, 37$\pm$9 years). Two patients underwent ARR with aortic homograft at the first operation. In the remaining 4 patients, ARR using a homograft was performed for paravalvular leakage that developed after AVR, and the mean interval from AVR to ARR was 21 $\pm$29 months(range, 5 to 73.3 moths, median, 7.6 months). Result: There was no early death. All patients were followed up for an average of 18.9$\pm$24.0 months(range, 1.9 to 68.9 months, median, 8.4 months). Two of 4patients who had undergone ARR after AVR required subsequent reoperations for false aneurysm of the ascending aorta and failure of pulmonary homograft. One patient underwent re-replacement of the aortic root, ascending aorta and partial aortic arch with an aortic homograft, the other underwent Ross operation. Conclusion: This study suggests that aortic root replacement using a homograft in aortic regurgitation with Behcet's disease may provide good clinical results and decrease the incidence of paravalvular leakage or false aneurysm after aortic valve replacement. However, the adequate perioperative management and complete removal of the inflarrunatory tissue at operation were also important for the good long-term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.273-276
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• 2003

We report a surgical case of 39-year-old male with a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. Four years ago, the patient underwent aortic and mitral valve replacements with mechanical valves and abscess removal for infective endocarditis with annular abscess. Recent echocardiography demonstrated a communication between left ventricle and abscess pocket, and the size of pocket increased further at the follow-up echocardiography. The patient underwent patch closure of the defect between left ventricle and pseudoaneurysm located at the aortomitral fibrous continuity, under the cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 9th postoperative day.