Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
Aortic root enlargement and replacement of the ascending aorta in type 0 aortic valve stenosis
Clara Großmann1, Ihor Krasivskyi1, Ilija Djordjevic1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Center, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Introduction:
This case report aims to describe an aortic root enlargement in combination with the replacement of the ascending aorta in a patient presenting with severe aortic valve stenosis.
Case Report:
A 68-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis due to a type 0 bicuspid aortic valve and an aortic aneurysm underwent surgery for treatment. The annulus was preoperatively measured with 19 mm. Enlargement was performed by using a tissue patch to create a neo-noncoronary sinus and enlarge the root.
Discussion:
Patients with a small aortic root face an increased risk of patient prosthesis mismatch. Enlarging the aortic root can mitigate this, but it extends cross-clamp and overall operative times. This case shows the need for carefully planned surgical interventions to optimize outcomes in complex anatomies.
Conclusions:
Each step of the performed surgery is well-established, however the combination and the creation of a neo-noncoronary sinus is not described so far.
Related Concept Videos
The Aorta
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...
Thoracic Aorta
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Heart Valves
The AV valves prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria during ventricular contraction. These valves function with the assistance of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. When the ventricles are relaxed, the chordae tendineae are slack, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the...

