Left ventricle to aorta valved conduit for relief of diffuse left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Operative relief of congenital tunnel subaortic stenosis by means of local incision or excision, or both, has generally been unsatisfactory. The use of a valve-bearing conduit between the left ventricular apex and thoracic aorta offers a predictable means of bypassing the left ventricular outflow obstruction. The procedure was used in a 17 year old girl with an excellent hemodynamic result. The history of operative management with diverting plantation of valved conduits in this position have not been defined, but use of these prostheses appears advisable in severe subvalvular, valvular and supravalvular obstructions that are not readily amenable to predictable and safe surgical palliation. The operation may prove useful in selected cases of idiopathic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.