Functional classification of aortic root/valve abnormalities and their correlation with etiologies and surgical procedures.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with aortic root pathology may benefit from 'valve-conservation' surgery although application of this philosophy is limited by a lack of 'standardized' surgical techniques. A functional classification of aortic root and valvular abnormalities has been developed in 260 patients and correlated with the etiology of the pathologic process and the surgical procedure performed. Early outcome was assessed using hospital records and medium-term follow-up by cardiological review.


RESULTS
From January 1995 until March 2001, 260 patients were operated on for aortic root pathology using valve-conserving surgical techniques. Hospital mortality was 2%; intra-operative echocardiography showed residual aortic regurgitation (Grade 1-2) in 11%, none in the remaining patients. Follow-up at a mean of 20 months (87% of patients) showed trivial or Grade 1 aortic regurgitation in 80%.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of a simple functional classification for aortic root pathology and aortic valve disease allows the logical application of 'valve-conserving' surgical procedures with excellent early and medium-term results.
El Khoury
G
G
Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium. Elkhoury@chir.ucl.ac.be
Glineur
D
D
Rubay
J
J
Verhelst
R
R
d'Acoz
Y d'Udekem
Yd
Poncelet
A
A
Astarci
P
P
Noirhomme
Ph
P
van Dyck
M
M
D001011:Aorta / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans