Aortic valve repair: a ten-year single-centre experience†

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Cardiac Valve Repair
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Aortic valve regurgitation necessitates intervention, with valve replacement being standard.
• Aortic valve repair aims to restore function, avoid anticoagulation, and allow for normal annulus growth in younger patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the outcomes of aortic valve repair for incompetence caused by leaflet and root pathology.
• To evaluate the feasibility and long-term efficacy of aortic valve leaflet repair.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 218 patients with aortic valve regurgitation underwent aortic valve repair between 2003 and 2013.
• Procedures involved leaflet repair techniques and aortic sparing procedures when indicated.
• Pre- and postoperative echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal) and clinical evaluations were used for assessment.

Main Results:

• The study reported an in-hospital mortality rate of 3.40%.
• At a median follow-up of 2.94 years, freedom from severe aortic regurgitation was 92.9% and freedom from aortic valve replacement was 94.5%.
• Aortic valve surgery positively impacted left ventricular function, with a decrease in end-diastolic volume.

Conclusions:

• Aortic valve leaflet repair is a feasible and effective option for selected patients.
• Repair, alone or with aortic sparing techniques, yields good long-term results.