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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
[Surgical treatment of aortico-left ventricular tunnel]
Wei Wang1, Hai-Ning Sun, Ke-Ming Yang
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute and Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100037, China. weiwang58@hotmail.com
Objective:
To review 9 aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) patients in our hospital, describe the clinical features, diagnosis, treatments and follow-up.
Methods:
We identified 9 patients from July 2002 to August 2008. Clinical and surgical details were reviewed. 7 patients were in NYHA class I and 2 in class III, 8 of 9 patients were diagnosed by echocardiography before operation.
Results:
All patients underwent surgery under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. 2 with direct suture, 5 by patch closure of the aortic end and 1 by patch closure of both aortic end and left ventricular end of the AVLT. 1 underwent aortic valve replacement after incision of the ALVT. One patient died 2 month after operation because of endocarditis and acute heart failure. At follow-up (3 month to 6 years), 3 patients were in NYHA class I, 3 in Class II, 1 in class III and missed 1. No aortic regurgitation or trace in 2, little in 1, little to moderate in 2. The aortic mechanical valve is normal in 1 and paravalvular leakage in 1 patient.
Conclusion:
Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare cardiac malformation with a good post-operative outcome. Surgery is an effective treatment. Long-term follow-up for post-operation is essential.
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