Paediatric aortic regurgitation secondary to Behçet's disease: aortic cusp replacement with autologous pericardium

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Vascular Inflammation

Background:

• Behçet's disease is a rare inflammatory condition affecting multiple systems.
• Vasculitis in Behçet's disease can necessitate aortic surgery, particularly in children.
• Severe aortic regurgitation is a critical complication requiring surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of aortic cusp replacement in a pediatric patient with Behçet's disease.
• To evaluate the efficacy of autologous pericardium for aortic valve repair using the Ozaki technique.
• To assess the long-term outcomes of this surgical approach in a growing child.

Main Methods:

• Diagnosis of Behçet's disease with severe aortic regurgitation confirmed via echocardiography.
• Medical stabilization with steroids and immunosuppressants.
• Aortic cusp replacement using autologous pericardium following the Ozaki surgical method.

Main Results:

• Successful aortic valve repair with excellent function demonstrated at 3-year follow-up.
• Patient remained asymptomatic with normal activity levels post-surgery.
• No significant complications reported during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Autologous pericardium aortic cusp replacement is a feasible and effective option for pediatric Behçet's disease patients.
• The Ozaki technique provides a viable surgical solution for complex aortic valve pathology in children.
• Further research is needed to develop standardized treatment protocols for this patient group.