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Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
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How to repair an acquired Gerbode defect using an aortic root xenograft
1Green Lane Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Journal of Cardiac Surgery
|August 14, 2020
Summary
A complex cardiac mass and Gerbode defect caused severe heart issues. Surgical repair involved aortic root replacement and defect closure, successfully treating the patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Aortic root masses can present with complex cardiac complications.
- Gerbode defects, a type of ventricular septal defect, require prompt diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old female presented with fever, weakness, and complete heart block.
- Imaging revealed an aortic root mass extending into the right atrium and a Gerbode defect (left ventricular outflow tract to right ventricle).
- Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed vegetation and a left-to-right shunt.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention included resection of aortic cusps, debridement of the aortic root, tricuspid valve repair, and membranous septum resection.
- The Gerbode defect was closed with an autologous pericardial patch.
- Aortic root replacement was performed using a 23 mm Freestyle xenograft.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing complex cardiac pathologies.
- Successful surgical management of aortic root masses with associated fistulous tracts is achievable.
- Complex cardiac reconstruction techniques can restore normal cardiac function.
