title: Early experiences and in-hospital results with a novel off-pump apico-aortic conduit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To offer surgical treatment in patients with aortic valve stenosis and contraindications for aortic valve replacement (e.g. ostial encroachment and previous mitral valve replacement). The aim of this study was to prove the feasibility and efficacy of this novel innovative off-pump apico-aortic conduit technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  The bipartite conduit consists of an 18-mm prosthetic tube graft containing a stentless porcine aortic valve as well as a flexible semi-rigid and curved ventricular connector. Via left anterior lateral thoracotomy, the valved conduit is sutured to the descending aorta. The left ventricular connector is implanted with a gun-like applicator into the apex without cardiopulmonary bypass and with minimal blood loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between March and December 2011, 7 patients (5 females/2 males) with a mean age of 82 (79-89 years) were operated on. The mean logistic EuroSCORE I was 36.4 ± 23.7 (median 36.7%). The mean ejection fraction was 37 (25-65%) and the mean preoperative transaortic gradient was 38 (22-53 mmHg). Three patients had previous mechanical mitral valve replacement, 1 had a porcelain aorta and 3 had unfavourable distances between the aortic annulus and ostia (ostial encroachment). Implantation was uneventful in all patients, with need for limited cardiopulmonary bypass in only 1 patient. Postoperative mean transaortic gradient was 14 (11-25 mmHg). Approximately 70% of stroke volume was bypassed as measured in postoperative magnetic resonance. One patient died in hospital due to respiratory failure. New York Heart Association class in the other patients diminished from 3.6 to 1.6. No rhythmic disturbances or heart block were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this novel conduit, we observed excellent haemodynamic results. We feel that this additional surgical approach to aortic stenosis in elderly, high-risk patients can augment conventional on-pump and interventional treatments of aortic stenosis.
authors: Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. oreuthebuch@uhbs.ch
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Reuthebuch
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Fassl
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Brown
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Grapow
authors: Friedrich
authors: F
authors: Eckstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000401:mortality; D006439:Hemodynamics; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013908:Thoracotomy; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome