New vascular graft for simplification of the aortic valve reimplantation technique
Paul P. Urbanski 1*
Stefan Frank 1
1 Cardiovascular Center, Bad Neustadt, Germany
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: p.urbanski{at}herzchirurgie.de.
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Abstract |
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Achievement of optimal valve geometry in valve-sparing aortic root repairs is prerequisite for favorable valve function, and therefore, the simplification of these procedures is of utmost importance. The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of the new vascular graft for aortic valve reimplantation technique and evaluate the early and intermediate functional results. Five patients with different aortic root and valve pathologies (1 acute aortic dissection, 4 chronic aneurysms, and 1 bicuspid valve) of whom 2 patients suffered from severe (4+) aortic regurgitation, underwent valve-sparing aortic root repair using the reimplantation technique with the new graft. Three patients required, in addition to the aortic root repair, other procedures on the valve cusps. In all patients, optimal root restoration with no or slight valve insufficiency could be achieved, and these results remained unchanged over the follow-up time of up to 2 years.
The new aortic root graft simplifies aortic root repair using the valve reimplantation technique, and despite its straight form, allows easy restoration of the aortic root, which fits perfectly with patients' anatomy. Keywords: Aortic aneurysm; Aortic valve; Aortic insufficiency; Aortic root repair; Valve repair
