Concomitant Ascending Aortic Replacement and Aortic Valve Replacement Using Rapid Deployment Bioprosthesis

The association between aortic valve disease and dilatation of the ascending aorta is well known and concomitant surgery is recommended when the aortic diameter is higher than 45mm. The use of the rapid deployment valves allows less cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass times for both isolated and combined procedures in comparison to regular valves. We describe our initial experience of concomitant aortic valve and the ascending aortic replacement, using the rapid deployment valve Edward Intuity EliteTM.

All patients were male, with a mean age of 72-years-old. The mean cross-clamping time was 48 minutes, with a mean cardiopulmonary time of 61 minutes. The mean time of ICU stay was 4 days. All the patients had follow-up 1 and 3 months after discharge and were doing well.

The rapid deployment aortic valves have recognized advantages in aortic valve replacement. Our small experience reinforces that replacement the ascending aortic and aortic valve with this prothesis is one procedure that can benefits from generalization without increased risks and with potentially better clinical outcomes. Larger cohort studies would allow clarification over this subject.