Root-sparing valve replacement in a prefabricated KONECT RESILIA aortic valved conduit

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Device Innovation

Background:

• The KONECT RESILIA aortic valved conduit is a prefabricated composite graft for aortic root replacement, introduced in July 2020.
• Its design aims to simplify aortic root surgery and reduce operative time.
• A key concern is the potential need for complete root replacement during reoperation due to aortic valve degeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of aortic valve replacement within a previously implanted KONECT RESILIA graft.
• To present a technique that avoids complete aortic root replacement during reoperation.

Main Methods:

• A video tutorial format is used to illustrate the surgical procedure.
• The technique focuses on replacing only the aortic valve component of the composite graft.
• Avoidance of extensive aortic root dissection and reconstruction is emphasized.

Main Results:

• Successful aortic valve replacement was performed in a patient with a prior KONECT RESILIA graft.
• The procedure successfully avoided a complete aortic root replacement.
• This represents the first reported instance of such an intervention.

Conclusions:

• Aortic valve replacement is feasible within a KONECT RESILIA composite graft.
• This approach offers a potentially less invasive option for reoperation compared to complete root replacement.
• Further investigation into long-term outcomes is warranted.