Clinical outcomes of valve-sparing root replacement in acute type A aortic dissection

The early and late outcomes of valve-sparing root replacement (VSR) in type A aortic dissection (AAD) are unknown. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of VSR in AAD. We also compared the outcomes of VSR with the Bentall operation, which served as a standard reference technique.

We retrospectively reviewed 52 patients who underwent surgery for AAD and concomitant root replacement between 1998 and 2013 at Samsung Medical Center. Patients were divided into two groups: Bentall (n = 34) and VSR (n = 18). Two out of six surgeons performed VSR. The mean follow-up duration was 62.3 ± 46.5 months.

Preoperative characteristics were similar between the two groups except age (Bentall, 48 ± 11 years; VSR, 37 ± 11 years, p = 0.011). The aortic cross-clamping time was longer in the VSR group (Bentall, 185.8 ± 63.8; VSR, 241.4 ± 44.3 min, p = 0.002). There was no early death in the VSR group, but there was one in the Bentall group (p = 1.000). Despite the higher reoperation rate for aortic valve in the VSR group (Three reoperations) than in the Bentall group (no reoperation), major valve-related events and overall mortality did not differ between the two groups(p = 0.876 and 0.119, respectively). In multivariable analysis, the root replacement technique was not a risk factor for major valve-related events.

VSR seems to be equivalent to the Bentall procedure for AAD in terms of early and late outcomes. VSR can be considered as a viable option, particularly for young patients with favorable aortic valve leaflets undergoing surgery at an experienced center.