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Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Standardized Technique of Aortic Valve Re-implantation for Valve-sparing Aortic Root Replacement
Published on: December 11, 2017
Early and Late Outcomes After Complete Aortic Replacement
Anthony L Estrera1, Harleen K Sandhu1, Rana O Afifi1
1Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Clinical Science Program, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Insights
Complete aortic replacement is feasible with acceptable outcomes, though often requiring multiple stages, particularly in younger patients with aortic dissection. This study provides valuable data for future comparisons with emerging endovascular techniques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Analysis of a 20-year experience with total aortic replacement.
- Focus on complex aortic pathologies requiring extensive surgical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of complete aortic replacement over two decades.
- To analyze patient demographics, procedural characteristics, and long-term survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 39 patients undergoing complete aortic replacement between 1991 and 2013.
- Categorization of procedures based on aortic segments repaired (proximal/distal to left subclavian artery).
- Staged repair approach utilized when feasible for extensive aortic disease.
Main Results:
- 87 operations performed on 39 patients, with a median completion time of 8.7 months.
- 54% of patients required two or more stages for complete aortic replacement.
- No early deaths; 6% paraplegia after distal repairs. 20-year survival was 30%.
Conclusions:
- Complete aortic replacement is achievable with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
- Younger patients with aortic dissection frequently require multi-stage repairs.
- This data serves as a benchmark for advancing endovascular aortic repair techniques.
Background:
The purpose of this report was to analyze our experience with total aortic replacement during a 20-year period.
Methods:
Between 1991 and 2013, 3,012 repairs of the aortic root, ascending, transverse arch, and thoracoabdominal aorta were performed. Of these, we treated 39 patients with complete aortic replacement. Staged repair of the aortic root/ascending/arch and thoracoabdominal segments was used when feasible. Procedures were categorized according to the aorta replaced, whether proximal or distal to the left subclavian artery.
Results:
We performed 87 operations (41 ascending and 48 thoracoabdominal repairs) in 39 patients; 2 had combined proximal and distal repairs. Mean age was 52.5 ± 15.9 years, and 17 patients (44%) were women. In addition, 39% (14 of 39) had a history of a connective tissue, and 74% (29 of 39) had a history of aortic dissection. Of the 39 patients, 21 (54%) required two stages for complete replacement, 12 (31%) required three stages, 3 (8%) required four stages, and 3 (8%) required more than five stages. The median time to completion of total aortic repair was 8.7 months (interquartile range, 2 to 71.2 months). No early deaths occurred. No stroke occurred after the proximal repair, and 3 patients (6%) suffered paraplegia after the distal repair. Survival at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years was 70.7%, 57.7%, 54%, and 30%, respectively.
Conclusions:
Complete aortic replacement can be performed with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality. Most of these patients were younger, had associated dissection, and required multiple stages for completion. As endovascular techniques advance proximally into the ascending aorta and complete endovascular aortic repair comes closer to reality, studies like this will allow comparison.
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