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Updated: May 12, 2026
Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with orthotopic liver transplantation: report of a case
Jonathan D Harrison1, Craig H Selzman, Heather F Thiesset
1Section of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, School of Medicine, 30 North 1900 East, 3B110 SOM, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA.
Insights
Combined minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and liver transplantation is a rare procedure for patients with severe heart and liver disease. This case report details the first minimally invasive approach, offering new insights into managing complex comorbid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Transplantation Surgery
Background:
- Combined cardiac surgery and liver transplantation (LT) are complex procedures with significant risks.
- This combined surgery is typically indicated for patients with severe structural heart disease and end-stage liver disease.
- Combined aortic valve replacement (AVR) and LT is exceptionally rare, with limited published cases.
Observation:
- This report presents the first case of combined minimally invasive AVR and LT.
- The patient had severe valvular heart disease and end-stage liver disease requiring simultaneous intervention.
Findings:
- The study details the successful execution of a combined minimally invasive AVR and LT.
- This approach was employed for a patient with critical comorbidities affecting both the heart and liver.
Implications:
- Minimally invasive techniques may offer a viable option for combined AVR and LT in select patients.
- This case expands the understanding of surgical management for patients with combined cardiac and hepatic failure.
- Further research is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive combined AVR and LT.
Abstract:
Cardiac surgery and liver transplantation (LT) are rarely performed at the same time, because of the potential risks of coupling two such complex surgical procedures [1-3]. This combined surgery is typically reserved for patients with structural heart disease, including multivessel obstructive coronary artery disease and severe valvular disease with heart failure and end-stage liver disease, in whom the untreated organ may decompensate if only one organ is addressed [4]. Combined aortic valve replacement (AVR) and LT is the rarest of such combined surgery, with only ten cases published previously. We present the first reported case of combined minimally invasive AVR and LT and review the literature on similar combined surgery.
