title: Long-term results after reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract by aortoventriculoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aortoventriculoplasty is an established method of reconstruction of complex left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction by insertion of a mechanical valve prosthesis after patch enlargement of the LVOT. Little data exist with respect to long-term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between March 1991 and June 2001, 24 patients with a median age of 10.7 (range, 2.1 to 66) years underwent aortoventriculoplasty, which was performed as a primary procedure in 4 and as a secondary intervention in 20 patients. On follow-up, all patients were restudied with an actual prospective evaluation. Data were statistically analyzed using a paired t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was one early death from low cardiac output. Four patients had to be reoperated on for bleeding. All 23 postoperative survivors were followed up for 63 (range, 12 to 123) months. Aortic anulus size of 14 (7 to 19) mm could be significantly enlarged to a size of 24 (19 to 27) mm for insertion of a mechanical valve prosthesis (p < 0.001). Blood flow velocity across the LVOT significantly decreased to 1.8 (1.3 to 2.9) m/s (preoperative, 4.1 [2.7 to 5.8] m/s) (p < 0.001). There were no late deaths. One patient underwent late repair of a paraprosthetic leak. On follow-up, there was no hemorrhage related to anticoagulation observed, but there was one minor thromboembolic complication. Relief of LVOT obstruction and good function of the valve prostheses could be demonstrated in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aortoventriculoplasty is an easily applicable, low-risk procedure for the effective relief of complex LVOT obstruction, and provides excellent long-term results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. michael_ullmann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Ullmann
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gorenflo
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sebening
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Heinz G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Jakob
authors.forename: Herbert E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ulmer
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hagl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*