Korean Circ J.  2006 Feb;36(2):140-149. 10.4070/kcj.2006.36.2.140.

Novel Technique of Aortic Valve Repair

• Hahm SY
• Jung DS
• Je HG
• Choo SJ
• Kang DH
• Kim JJ
• Song JK
• Seo JB
• Lim TW
• Song MG

• KMID: 2093962
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2006.36.2.140

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the results of a newly developed aortic valve repair technique.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Between December 1997 and April 2005, 75 aortic valvuloplasties were performed using a new technique that addressed the 3 main components of the aortic root; annulus, sinotubular junction and leaflet. An internal synthetic strip and ring were implanted along the fibrous annulus to reduce the annulus and sinotubular junction, and additional leaflets were implanted for leaflet correction. Based on the primary pathology, there were 35, 22 and 18 cases of isolated aortic regurgitation, aortic regurgitation due to ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic regurgitation due to annuloaortic ectasia, respectively.
RESULTS
The average age of the subjects was 46.4+/-16 years; there were 51 and 24 males and females, respectively. There was no operative mortality, with a 2-year freedom from reoperation rate of 97%. Follow up echocardiograms showed significant improvements in the grade of aortic regurgitation, from a preoperative mean of 3.1+/-1.2 to 1.08+/-0.7 immediate postoperatively, to 1.15+/-0.6 at the final follow up.
CONCLUSION
The results of the current study showed this technique to be effective in the treatment of aortic regurgitation of various causes. Although long-term results are pending, it is our contention that this aortic valve repair technique will be a reliable method in the future.

Keyword

Aortic valve; Aortic regurgitation; Aortic aneurysm; Marfan syndrome

MeSH Terms

Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Valve Insufficiency
Aortic Valve*
Dilatation, Pathologic
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Freedom
Humans
Male
Marfan Syndrome
Mortality
Pathology
Reoperation