Analysis of valve motion after the reimplantation type of valve-sparing procedure (David I) with a new aortic root conduit.
BACKGROUND
The reimplantation type of valve-sparing procedure does not allow proper reconstruction of the sinuses of Valsalva. We assessed the valve motion after a reimplantation type (David I) of valve-sparing procedure using a new Dacron conduit that incorporates sinuses of Valsalva.


METHODS
Nine consecutive patients undergoing an aortic valve-sparing procedure using the new conduit were studied using two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography shortly (2 +/- 1 months) after operation to determine root distensibility, expressed as percent change in radius and as pressure strain of the elastic modulus. Next, monodimensional view was used to assess valve motion in its various phases (rapid valve opening velocity, slow closing leaflet displacement, rapid valve closing velocity, maximal leaflet displacement, and leaflet displacement before valve closure). Seven healthy individuals served as control subjects.


RESULTS
Root distensibility was reduced at the level of the annulus and sinotubular junction but was similar to control subjects at the level of the sinuses (percent change in radius, 4.1% +/- 0.8% versus 4.5% +/- 1.2%; pressure strain of the elastic modulus, 1,286 +/- 674 g/cm2 versus 1,195 +/- 628 g/cm2). Rapid valve opening (69 +/- 34.4 cm/s versus 51 +/- 11.9 cm/s) and closing (47.6 +/- 16 cm/s versus 36.4 +/- 9 cm/s) velocity as well as slow closing leaflet displacement (24% +/- 4.7% versus 22.1% +/- 7.9%), maximal leaflet displacement (20.1 +/- 4 mm versus 22.7 +/- 1.9 mm), and leaflet displacement before valve closure (15.2 +/- 3 mm versus 17.6 +/- 0.8 mm) were similar to control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The new aortic root conduit used in a reimplantation type of valve-sparing procedure allows the anatomic reconstruction of the aortic root with leaflet motion similar to that of normal subjects.
Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy. depauli@tin.it
Ruggero
R
De Paulis
Giovanni Maria
GM
De Matteis
Paolo
P
Nardi
Raffaele
R
Scaffa
Carlo
C
Bassano
Luigi
L
Chiariello
D000368:Aged; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012092:Replantation / Q000379:methods*; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva