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Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
Perioperative Outcomes After Bioprosthetic Valve Replacement in Patients Sensitized to Alpha-Gal
Berk Aykut1,2, Hoe King Lim1,3, Smith M Ngeve1
1Duke Congenital Heart Surgery Research and Training Laboratory, Durham, North Carolina.
Background:
Alpha-gal syndrome from tick bites, due to sensitivity to alpha-gal, can cause severe allergies. Heart valve implants contain alpha-gal, yet alpha-gal syndrome screening is not standard before valve replacement. This study examines perioperative outcomes in patients with alpha-gal antibodies.
Methods:
This is a single-institution prospective cohort study of patients undergoing bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement between January 2022 and January 2023. Anti-alpha-gal immunoglobulin E levels were measured, with primary outcomes being severe allergic reactions and in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes including intensive care unit and hospital stay.
Results:
Of 155 patients, 32.7% (n = 19) of surgical aortic valve replacement and 29.9% (n = 29) of transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients had detectable immunoglobulin E levels without subsequent serious allergic reactions or in-hospital mortality. Postoperative hospital stay and valve function were similar across groups.
Conclusions:
In this study, sensitization to alpha-gal was not associated with serious allergic reactions and did not affect immediate aortic valve function after surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
