Patients, from neonates to elderly, in need of aortic root replacement have several surgical options for their problem. This thesis describes the outcomes after aortic root replacement with... Show morePatients, from neonates to elderly, in need of aortic root replacement have several surgical options for their problem. This thesis describes the outcomes after aortic root replacement with biological prostheses, focusing on the pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure) and a stentless porcine aortic root prosthesis. These outcomes can be used to inform patients, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in the shared decision making process of prosthesis choice. Show less
Schneider, A.W.; Hazekamp, M.G.; Versteegh, M.I.M.; Weger, A. de; Holman, E.R.; Klautz, R.J.M.; ... ; Braun, J. 2019
OBJECTIVES: Repeat aortic valve interventions after previous stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) are considered technically challenging with an increased perioperative risk, especially after... Show moreOBJECTIVES: Repeat aortic valve interventions after previous stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) are considered technically challenging with an increased perioperative risk, especially after full-root replacement. We analysed our experience with reinterventions after stentless AVR.METHODS: A total of 75 patients with previous AVR using a Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis (31 subcoronary, 15 root-inclusion and 29 full-root replacement) underwent reintervention in our centre from 1993 until December 2018. Periprocedural data were retrospectively collected from the department database and follow-up data were prospectively collected.RESULTS: Median age was 62 years (interquartile range 47-72 years). Indications for reintervention were structural valve deterioration (SVD) in 47, non-SVD in 13 and endocarditis in 15 patients. Urgent surgery was required in 24 (32%) patients. Reinterventions were surgical AVR in 16 (21%), root replacement in 51 (68%) and transcatheter AVR in 8 (11%) patients. Early mortality was 9.3% (n = 7), but decreased to zero in the past decade in 28 patients undergoing elective reoperation. Per indication, early mortality was 9% for SVD, 8% for non-SVD and 13% for endocarditis. Aortic root replacement had the lowest early mortality rate (6%), followed by surgical AVR (13%) and transcatheter AVR (25%, 2 patients with coronary artery obstruction). Pacemaker implantation rate was 7%. Overall survival rate at 10 years was 69% (95% confidence interval 53-81%).CONCLUSIONS: Repeat aortic valve interventions after stentless AVR carry an increased, but acceptable, early mortality risk. Transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures after stentless AVR require careful consideration of prosthesis leaflet position to prevent obstruction of the coronary arteries. Show less
Objective We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the risk of adverse events, life expectancy, and event-free life expectancy after the Ross procedure in adults. Methods We searched databases for... Show moreObjective We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the risk of adverse events, life expectancy, and event-free life expectancy after the Ross procedure in adults. Methods We searched databases for reports evaluating the Ross procedure in patients aged more than or equal to 16 years of age. A microsimulation model was used to evaluate age- and gender-specific life expectancy for patients undergoing the Ross procedure. Results Data were pooled from 63 articles totaling 19 155 patients from 20 countries. Perioperative mortality was 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-3.1; N = 9978). We found a mortality risk of 5.9% (95% CI: 4.8-7.2) at a mean follow-up of 7.2 years (N = 7573). The rate of perioperative clinically significant bleeding was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.1-3.0); re-exploration for bleeding 4.6% (95% CI: 3.1-6.3); postoperative clinically significant bleeding from 30 days until a mean of 7.1 years was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2-1.0). At a mean of 6.9 years of follow-up, reintervention rate of any operated valve was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.7-10.3). The risk of valve thrombosis was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.2-0.5) at 7.6 years; peripheral embolism 0.3% (95% CI: 0.2-0.4) at 6.4 years; stroke 0.9% (95% CI: 0.7-1.2) at 6.5 years; and endocarditis 2.1% (95% CI: 1.6-2.6) at 8.0 years. Microsimulation reported a 40-year-old undergoing the Ross procedure to have a life expectancy of 35.4 years and event-free life expectancy of 26.6 years. Conclusions Ross procedure in nonelderly adults is associated with low mortality and low risk of adverse events both at short- and long-term follow-up. The surgical community must prioritize a large, expertize-based randomized controlled trial to definitively address the risks and benefits of the Ross procedure compared to conventional aortic valve replacement. Show less
The Ross-Konno procedure is a durable solution for multilevel LVOTO in a highly complex patient population with high incidence of previous procedures. High early mortality rates in patients with... Show moreThe Ross-Konno procedure is a durable solution for multilevel LVOTO in a highly complex patient population with high incidence of previous procedures. High early mortality rates in patients with impaired left ventricular function emphasize the importance of patient selection. Freedom from reoperation shows a continuous attrition rate. Reoperation for autograft failure may occur late after the Ross-Konno procedure. Show less
The Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis is a valuable option to reconstruct the LVOT after debridement in extensive aortic valve endocarditis. It is readily available with a versatility and clinical... Show moreThe Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis is a valuable option to reconstruct the LVOT after debridement in extensive aortic valve endocarditis. It is readily available with a versatility and clinical outcome comparable with that of homografts. Although early mortality remains considerable in this high-risk group of patients, late survival is good with low rates of recurrence of endocarditis, immediate local control and good haemodynamic performance on echocardiography. Show less
