title: A short-term experience with the Tirone David I valve sparing operation for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta and aortic root.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this report is to summarize our experience with the Tirone David I technique over a 4-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 1997 15 patients were operated on using this surgical procedure. Of the patients, nine were male (60%) and six (40%) female. Ages ranged from 23 to 75 years (mean 62.1+/-17.2 years). The underlying disease was chronic aneurysm of the ascending aorta or root in 13 (86.6%) and chronic dissection in two (13.4%). Four patients (26.6%) had skeletal manifestations of Marfan's syndrome. Additional cardiac procedures were performed in two patients (13.4%). Mean follow-up time was 26.6+/-11.2 months (range 7-50 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no early deaths. Postoperative non-fatal complications occurred in two (13.3%) patients. There was no valve-related late death occurring 6 months after operation. Actuarial survival was 0.94+/-0.07 at 4 years; 4-year freedom from reoperation was 0.91+/-0.07. The probability of needing reoperation was 8+/-0.9%. There were no instances of infective endocarditis or thromboembolic complications. At the end of the follow-up period, trivial or no aortic regurgitation was demonstrated in 57.1%, mild in 42.9% and no patient had an insufficiency graded >/=moderate. Echocardiography showed early postoperative reduction in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions, which was maintained at follow-up controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Tirone David I procedure showed good early results, which encourage further use of this type of repair. However, further larger studies and long-term results are necessary for a definite judgment on this operative method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, General Hospital S. Maria Della Misericordia, Piazzale S. Maria Della Misericordia 11, 33100 Udine, Italy. sandrogelsomino@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gelsomino
authors.forename: Romeo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frassani
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morocutti
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masullo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Da Col
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spedicato
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Porreca
authors.forename: Ugolino
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Livi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D015996:Survival Rate