The first aortic valve repair was performed in 1958, but the clinical outcome was limited. Since the invention of prosthetic valves, aortic valve replacement has become and still maintained the dominated surgical treatment option. As the impact of the prosthetic valve-related event to quality of life of the patients and the studies of the mechanism of aortic regurgitation and the functional anatomy of aortic root grow, the application of aortic valve repair gets more popular, and the short- and mid-term outcomes are good.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the midterm effect of valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) on aortic root aneurysm and moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR). MethodsThe clinical data of patients with aortic root aneurysm and moderate to severe AR undergoing VSRR and surviving from the operation from October 2013 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 31 males and 9 females, with an average age of 47.1±13.4 years. There were 30 patients with true aneurysm of aortic root and 10 patients with dissecting aneurysm of aortic root. There were 3 patients with bicuspid aortic valve, and 12 patients with Marfan syndrome. The AR measured by the echocardiogram was moderate in 18 patients and severe in 22 patients. The average diameter of aortic annulus was 27.0±3.9 mm, and the mean largest diameter of aortic sinus was 52.3±6.1 mm. ResultsA total of 32 patients underwent David technique and 8 patients underwent Yacoub technique, and 10 patients underwent aortic cusp repair simultaneously. All 40 patients completed the follow-up, and the follow-up period was 12-86 (45.7±18.9) months. During the period, 1 patient died of heart failure, 2 had reoperation due to new-onset Stanford B aortic dissection, and no patients had reoperation related to aortic valve. The postoperative New York Heart Association cardiac function classification (1.6±0.5 vs. 2.8±0.8), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (52.2±7.8 mm vs. 61.4±10.6 mm) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (136.0±58.8 mL vs. 193.3±83.9 mL) of the patients were significantly improved compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). By echocardiography, 19 patients had no AR, 18 patients had mild AR, 3 patients had mild-moderate AR, and no patients had moderate or higher AR. ConclusionIn patients with aortic root aneurysm and moderate to severe AR, VSRR technique avoids prosthetic valves and anticoagulation-related complications, has lower rate of AR recurrence and reoperation, and improves the quality of life in the midterm period.
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors for 24-hour death in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients with conservative treatment.MethodsFrom January 2009 to January 2018, 243 ATAAD patients who received non-surgical intervention were admitted in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, including 167 males and 76 females with an average age of 53.0±12.0 years. The risk factors for 24-hour mortality were analyzed.ResultsThe total in-hospital mortality rate was 37.9% (93/243), and 13.6% (33/243) patients died within 24 hours of onset. We found that left ventricular end diastolic diameter [LVEDD, OR=0.45, 95%CI (0.25, 0.83), P<0.01] and aortic regurgitation [OR=7.26, 95%CI (1.67, 31.53), P<0.01] were independent risk factors for 24-hour death in patients with ATAAD.ConclusionIn this study, LVEDD and aortic regurgitation are identified as independent risk factors for 24-hour mortality in ATAAD patients. Therefore, patients with aortic regurgitation and small LVEDD should be treated with sugery as soon as possible.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short and mid-term outcomes of valve repair in patients with insufficient bicuspid aortic valves (BAV).MethodsThe clinical data of 27 consecutive patients with insufficient BAV undergoing valve repair in Shanghai Chest Hospital from September 2016 to January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 24 males and 3 females with a mean age of 38.5±14.6 years (range: 20-68 years). BAV of all patients was type 1 in Seviers' classification. There were 23 patients with left-right fusion and 4 patients with right-noncoronary fusion. There was aortic regurgitation in the patients measured by the echocardiogram, including moderate regurgitation in 3 patients, moderate-severe in 18 patients, and severe in 6 patients. The diameter of aortic annular base was 27.9±3.4 mm, and the largest diameter of aortic sinus was 39.9±7.6 mm. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter was 62.7±6.5 mm, and the volume was 197.9±53.6 mL.ResultsAll 27 patients completed the follow-up, and the mean time was 24.2±12.5 months (range: 12-51 months). No patient died or required aortic valve-related reoperation during the follow-up. The cardiac function of the patients significantly improved postoperatively (P<0.05). By echocardiography, 11 patients had no aortic regurgitation, 13 had mild aortic regurgitation, and 3 had moderate aortic regurgitation, and no patient had severe aortic regurgitation. Postoperative left ventricular end diastolic diameter and volume decreased, compared to preoperative ones (P<0.05).ConclusionIn patients with insufficient BAV, valve repair is safe and effective, and has excellent short and mid-term outcomes.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical result of a combined technical system for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) repair. MethodsPatients who diagnosed as BAV and sever aortic regurgitation (AR) underwent a strategy of combined repair technics including annuloplasty, sinus plasty, leaflet plasty, sinus-tubular junction (STJ) plasty depending on anatomy pathological characteristics between October 2019 and January 2021 were enrolled. The clinical data of the patients were analyzed.ResultsA total of 17 patients were enrolled. There were 11 males and 6 females with an average age of 18-49 (32.4±13.6) years. Fifteen patients had typeⅠand 2 patients had typeⅡBAV according to Sievers classification. Annuloplasty was applicated in 13 patients, sinus plasty in 8 patients, leaflet plasty in 17 patients, and STJ plasty in 11 patients, respectively. The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 95 (84, 135) min, aortic cross-clamping time was 68 (57, 112) min, and the ICU stay time was 17 (12, 25) h. After the operation, mild AR was presented in 14 patients, moderate AR in 1 patient and severe AR in 2 patients. The latter 3 patients underwent second operation under CPB, after then, 1 patient had mild AR and 2 patients had moderate AR. The follow-up time was 13.1±4.6 months. At the latest follow-up, 12 patients had mild AR and 5 patients had moderate AR, and no patient had reoperation. ConclusionA combined technical system for BAV repair can be used effectively and safely with an acceptable short and middle-term result.
ObjectiveTo determine the clinical efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic regurgitation (AR) combined with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). MethodsThe clinical data of 13 patients who underwent TAVR due to severe AR combined with severe MR from March 2018 to September 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 10 males and 3 females with a mean age of 72.54±2.35 years. The echocardiographic findings of all patients were compared preoperatively and postoperatively. ResultsSurgeries were performed successfully in all patients without intraoperative death or conversion to sternotomy. The operation time was 118.15±11.42 min, intraoperative blood loss was 100.00 (75.00, 250.00) mL, and the length of hospital stay after surgery was 9.00 (4.50, 11.00) d. The mean follow-up duration was 10.00 (6.50, 38.50) months, during which there were 2 patients with mild to moderate AR, 6 with mild AR, and 5 with no AR; meanwhile, severe MR decreased significantly (P=0.001) even without active intervention, including 4 mild to moderate MR and 9 mild MR patients. Compared to preoperative indexes, the left atrial diameter [46.00 (41.00, 52.50) mm vs. 35.00 (34.00, 41.00) mm, P<0.001], left ventricular end-systolic diameter [45.00 (36.00, 56.00) mm vs. 35.00 (28.00, 39.00) mm, P=0.002] and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (62.62±2.40 mm vs. 51.08±2.49 mm, P<0.001) showed a decreasing trend during the follow-up. ConclusionIn selected patients with severe AR combined with severe MR, TAVR alone improves AR and combined MR at the same time.
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the safety and efficacy of the Docs Valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement system. MethodsA total of 26 healthy adult sheep were selected and divided into an experimental group (n=18) and a control group (n=8). The experimental group underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) via the transfemoral vascular approach, and were further subdivided into acute and chronic subgroups based on the timing of examination and anatomical exploration. Animals in the acute subgroup received anatomical exploration immediately postoperatively, while those in the chronic subgroup underwent the same exploration at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Valve position, paravalvular leak (PVL), and artificial valve leaflet tissue were observed at immediately post-operation (n=5), 1 month post-operation (n=2), 3 months post-operation (n=2), and 6 months post-operation (n=9). The control group received surgical replacement with a biological prosthetic valve, with corresponding examinations performed at 6 months postoperatively. The safety and efficacy of the valve system were analyzed using echocardiography, anatomical examination, and pathological examination. Results Seventeen sheep in the experimental group successfully completed TAVI, and 4 sheep in the control group successfully underwent surgical replacement, all surviving to the final observation period. During follow-up, valve morphology and position were normal, ultrasound imaging was clear, and the trends of changes in hemodynamics and left ventricular function were similar between the two groups. In the experimental group, 4 cases (4/17) of moderate paravalvular leakage occurred during follow-up; in the control group, 2 cases (2/4) of moderate paravalvular leakage and 1 case (1/4) of moderate regurgitation were noted. Anatomical examination revealed no thrombi, vegetations, or calcifications in either group; extensive endothelialization was observed on stents and valve leaflets, with a small amount of calcium deposition in the experimental group. Pathological examination showed no thrombus formation in core organs or brain tissues in either group. ConclusionThe results of this animal control trial preliminarily confirm the safety and efficacy of the Docs Valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement system. However, due to the limited sample size of the control group, the conclusions require further verification in larger sample sizes.
ObjectiveTo explore growth pattern of neo-aortic root as well as development of neo-aortic regurgitation after arterial switch operation (ASO) for Taussig-Bing anomaly. MethodsFrom 2002 to 2017, the patients who received ASO, and were discharged alive from Shanghai Children’s Medical Center and followed up for more than 3 years were retrospectively involved in this study. ResultsA total of 127 patients were enrolled. There were 98 (77.2%) males, the median age at ASO was 73.0 d and the average weight was 4.7 kg. Forty-five (35.4%) children were complicated with mild or mild-to-moderate pulmonary insufficiency (PI) before ASO. The average follow-up time was 7.0 years. During the follow-up, 14 (11.0%) children presented moderate or greater neo-aortic regurgitation (neo-AR). The diameter of neo-aortic annulus and sinus of Valsalva was beyond normal range during the entire follow-up. The average diameter of neo-aortic annulus was 18.0 mm at 5 years and 20.5 mm at 10 years. The average diameter of sinus of Valsalva was 25.9 mm at 5 years and 31.1 mm at 10 years. Neo-AR continued to develop over time. The diameter of children who developed moderate or greater neo-AR was constantly larger than that of children who did not (χ2=18.3, P<0.001). Preoperative mild or mild-to-moderate PI was an independent risk factor for the development of moderate or greater neo-AR during mid-to-long term follow-up (c-HR=3.46, P=0.03). ConclusionThe diameters of neo-aortic annulus and sinus of Valsalva of Taussig-Bing children who receive ASO repair continue to expand without normalization. The dilation of annulus correlates with the development of neo-AR. PI before ASO repair increases the risk of neo-AR development.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the preferred treatment for severe aortic stenosis. The localization and anchor of many transcatheter heart valves available in the clinic today are dependent on the calcific aortic valve leaflet of patients. We reported here a successful case of transapical aortic valve implantation with Ken-Valve heart valve in an 82-year-old male patient with pure severe aortic regurgitation without native valve calcium. Postoperative follow-up (3 months after the surgery) showed that the cardiac function significantly improved. The echocardiography indicated that the Ken-Valve prosthesis worked well without perivalvular regurgitation. The short-term clinical effect was satisfactory. The Ken-Valve with three position anchors is proved to be suitable for the treatment of pure aortic regurgitation.
ObjectiveTo summarize and analyze the risk factors and management of artificial valve slippage in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 131 patients undergoing TAVI surgery in our center from September 2017 to May 2019, including 62 patients through transapical approach and 69 patients through transfemoral artery approach.ResultsA total of 131 patients received TAVI surgery, among whom 4 patients had slipped during the operation, 2 patients via transfemoral artery approach, and another 2 patients via transapical. The average age was 77±9 years with one female (25%). Preoperative evaluation, higher position and poor coaxial were main risk factors for valve slip in TAVI.ConclusionValve slippage is also a serious complication in TAVI surgery. Reasonable and effective treatment can avoid thoracotomy.
