title: Aortic root replacement with a composite graft. Factors influencing immediate and long-term results.
abstract: From April 73 to June 94, 203 patients (167 men, 36 women) aged from 10 to 74 years (mean: 44.8 +/- 15) underwent ascending aortic replacement with composite graft for: dystrophic aneurysm (AN) (130 cases, 64.5%), chronic dissection (CD) (35 cases, 17.2%), type A acute dissection (AD) (38 cases, 18.7%). Forty-six patients (22.6%) suffered from Marfan syndrome (24 AN, 13 AD, 9 CD). Thirty patients (14.7%) had undergone a previous cardiac or aortic operation. The ascending aortic replacement was extended to the transverse arch in 28 patients (13.7%). A mechanical valve was used in 193 cases (95%). Since 1986, the ascending aorta has been totally resected and a gelatin-or collagen-coated vascular prosthesis used. The technique of coronary reattachment has varied with time and according to the aortic lesions. The classic "Bentall" technique was used in 87 patients (43%), the "button" technique in 74 (36%), the "Cabrol" technique in 26 (13%) and a "mixed" technique in 16 cases (8%). The hospital mortality rate was 7.3% (15/203) (AN: 2.3%, CD: 11.4%, AD: 21%). The only predictors of hospital death were emergency AD (P < 0.03) and arch replacement (P < 0.02). Mean follow-up was 46 +/- 10 months (2-246). The overall long-term survival rate was (Kaplan Meier) 89 +/- 6% at 1 year, 77.9 +/- 9% at 5 years, 67.7 +/- 12% at 10 years and 61.3 +/- 15% at 12 years. The 10-year survival rate is significantly higher in patients with AN (77.8 +/- 11%) than in those with AD (61.6 +/- 17%) (log. rank: P < 0.01). The late survival rate is also significantly higher after the "button" or Bentall reimplantation than after the "Cabrol" or "mixed" methods (90 +/- 5% in the "button" group and 88.7 +/- 6%, 83.8 +/- 9% and 76.6 +/- 12% in the "Bentall" group vs 80 +/- 18%, 63 +/- 21% and 58 +/- 35% in the "Cabrol" group at 1, 5 and 8 years, respectively). In conclusion, ascending aortic replacement with a composite graft is a safe procedure especially when performed electively in patients with dystrophic aneurysm or Marfan syndrome. The technique of coronary reimplantation has a significant influence on the long-term results. The reimplantation of choice is the "button" technique, especially in the presence of a fragile aortic wall (AD). The "Cabrol" technique must be used when the "button" or the "Bentall" reimplantation is not feasible, for instance during redo procedures.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Cardio-Vasculaire, Hôpital Foch, Universite Rene Descartes, Suresnes, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bachet
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Termignon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goudot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dreyfus
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piquois
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brodaty
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delentdecker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guilmet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome