Approach to sinus of Valsalva aneurysms: a review of 53 cases

The reported experience with sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs) is limited. Our approach to this subset of patients and an algorithm-dependent classification are presented.

Between 1985 and 2000, 53 patients (mean age: 24+/-12; range 4--60) underwent repair for ruptured (64%) or non-ruptured (36%) SVA. Associated lesions were present in 21 patients; VSD in 18, moderate to severe aortic insufficiency in five, aortic stenosis in four (two subaortic membrane and one bicuspid valve), PDA in two, mitral insufficiency in one, tetralogy of Fallot in one and endocarditis in one. Operative procedures included simple or Teflon pledgetted direct suturing (31 cases; 58%), patch repair (21 cases; 40%), and stentless porcine bioprosthetic aortic root replacement in a case with extensive involvement and aortic root distortion (2%). Concomitant procedures were VSD repair in 18 patients, aortic valve replacement in four, aortic valve resuspension in three, subaortic membrane resection in two, PDA ligation in two, mitral annuloplasty in one and total correction in one.

Early mortality was 1.9%. A permanent pacemaker was inserted in one patient due to complete heart block. The survivors were followed up for 8.2+/-5 years (range: 21 days to 15 years). There were three reoperations due to suture dehiscence; patch repair was undertaken in these patients with no further unfavorable consequences. All patients were in NYHA Class I or II as of their last follow-up.

Repair of SVA can be performed with an acceptably low operative risk and a good symptom-free long-term outcome expectation. Echocardiography provides all the necessary details for diagnosis. Dual exposure/patch repair strategy is advocated in the ruptured cases.