Aortic root replacement: results using the St. Jude Medical/Hemashield composite graft.
BACKGROUND
Aortic root replacement remains a formidable operation. Although perioperative mortality has declined steadily, there is no consensus regarding the preferred method of reconstruction or type of composite to be used. We present our last 2 years' experience with aortic root replacement using the St. Jude Medical/Hemashield composite valve conduit.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 52 consecutive patients undergoing aortic root replacement from February 1994 through October 1996 is presented. Both the open/exclusion and Cabrol methods of reconstruction were used.


RESULTS
Thirty-one percent of the patients had undergone previous procedures of the aortic root. Thirty-seven percent required aortic arch replacement and 35% required concomitant cardiac or vascular procedures. Perioperative morbidity was low, as was perioperative mortality (3.8%). Both of the deaths that occurred were related to complications with the management of remaining thoracoabdominal aneurysms.


CONCLUSIONS
Using meticulous surgical technique and the St. Jude Medical/Hemashield composite valve conduit, one can expect low mortality and complication rates for complex aortic root reconstruction.
Girardi
L N
LN
Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Talwalkar
N G
NG
Coselli
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000401:mortality; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome