A 23-year experience with composite valve graft replacement of the aortic root.
BACKGROUND
This is a retrospective study of early and long-term results of composite valve graft replacement of the aortic root.


RESULTS
Between July 1974 and July 1997, 244 patients underwent aortic root replacement with a composite valve graft. Mean age was 54+/-15 years. The inclusion technique was used in 178 patients (73.0%), the open technique in 65 (26.5%), and the Cabrol II technique in 1 patient (0.5%). Hospital mortality was 7.8% (70% confidence limit, 6.1% to 9.5%). Independent determinants of hospital mortality were preoperative creatinine level more than 150 micromol/L (p = 0.04), prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.006), intraoperative technical problems (p = 0.048), and year of operation (p = 0.015). Follow-up was 99.6% complete, median 96 months (range, 2 to 256 months). Fifty-seven patients (25.3%; 70% confidence limit, 22.4% to 28.2%) died during follow-up. Cumulative survival at 5, 10, and 20 years was 76%, 62%, and 33%. Independent risk factors for late death were postoperative complications (p = 0.027), technique for coronary reattachment (p = 0.028), and concomitant aortic arch operation (p = 0.01). Twenty patients (8.8%; 70% confidence limit, 7.0% to 10.6%) underwent reoperation on the aortic root. Estimated freedom from reoperation for pseudoaneurysms at 3 years was 96% in the inclusion group and 94% in the open group (p = 0.236).


CONCLUSIONS
Aortic root replacement with a composite valve graft can be performed with low hospital mortality and morbidity. Pseudoaneurysms did occur in the inclusion group, but also in the open group.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate