Valve-sparing aortic root replacement in adult patients previously operated for congenital heart defects: an initial...

To review our experience with valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) in adult patients after the previous surgery for congenital heart disease.

From August 2008 to February 2014, 11 patients (mean age: 30.5 ± 7.7 years), previously operated for various congenital cardiac defects, mostly conotruncal lesions, underwent VSARR for progressive aortic root dilatation. Five patients had also developed moderate, and 1 patient severe aortic valve (AoV) insufficiency. All aortic root procedures were performed by the same operating surgeon in two institutions. The mean interval between the initial procedure and aortic root surgery was 25.7 ± 7.7 years. At the time of reoperation, the mean aortic root diameter was 53.4 ± 6.2 mm. The reimplantation technique (David procedure) was used in all patients. Seven patients underwent concomitant procedures. The median follow-up was 32 months (range 12-78 months).

No mortality occurred in hospital or during the follow-up period. Ten patients remain in NYHA functional class I; 1 patient with a single-ventricle circulation is in NYHA functional class II. During the immediate postoperative period, 2 patients underwent drainage of a pericardial collection and 1 patient required renal replacement therapy with eventual full recovery of renal function. No other reoperations or reinterventions were needed during the follow-up period. The most recent echocardiogram in 10 patients have demonstrated no or trivial AoV insufficiency. One patient, however, with severe aortic insufficiency preoperatively, developed mild AoV regurgitation shortly after the operation, which has progressed to moderate regurgitation 1 year following the operation.

Analysis of our experience in a small group of patients confirms that valve-sparing aortic root surgery can be safely performed in adult congenital patients presenting with progressive aortic root dilatation following their previous surgery. Although we have analysed patients with different original congenital cardiac lesions and the follow-up period is not long, we can conclude that the use of the reimplantation technique (David procedure) have resulted in overall satisfactory AoV function at follow-up. Longer follow-up with larger series will be needed, however, before firm conclusions can be drawn.