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Objective: Aortic valvuloplasty frequency has significantly increased over the past 15 years. Surgical repair varies in complexity depending on valvular lesions. Our aim is to report results on the whole spectrum of aortic valvuloplasty techniques., Methods: All children who consecutively underwent aortic valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis and/or aortic insufficiency between January 2006 and December 2020 at Necker Sick Children's Hospital (Paris, France) were included in a retrospective cohort study. Aortic valvuloplasty techniques were classified into 3 difficulty levels: (1) simple repair, corresponding to commissurotomy and/or shaving in aortic stenosis (AS) in neonates (group 1) and children >1 month (group 2); (2) intermediate-complexity repair, corresponding to commissuroplasty, leaflet resuspension, and fenestration closure in aortic insufficiency (leaflet prolapse in connective tissue disease, isolated leaflet prolapse and Laubry-Pezzi groups); and (3) complex repair requiring a pericardial patch to restore a functional aortic valve in mixed aortic valve disease (bicuspidization with neocommissure and cusp extension groups)., Results: During the study period, 324 children underwent aortic valvuloplasty. Survival and freedom from aortic valve reintervention at 10 years were, respectively, 86.1% and 50.9% in neonates with AS, 95.2% and 71.7% in children >1 month with AS, 93.8% and 79.5% in leaflet prolapse in connective tissue disease, 97.7% and 91.9% in isolated leaflet prolapse, 100% and 88% in those with Laubry-Pezzi syndrome, 97.4% and 84.8% in bicuspidization with neocommissure, and 100% and 54.2% in the cusp extension., Conclusions: Durability of aortic valvuloplasty techniques is satisfactory and offers the possibility to delay the Ross procedure, regardless of the lesion's complexity., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The Journal policy requires editors and reviewers to disclose conflicts of interest and to decline handling or reviewing manuscripts for which they may have a conflict of interest. The editors and reviewers of this article have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: The study aim was to evaluate long-term results after anatomic restoration of the aortic root., Methods: During an 18-year period, a total of 669 patients underwent valve-sparing root repair (aneurysm 554, dissection 115) using selective sinus replacement. None/trivial, mild, moderate, and severe (grades 3+ and 4+) insufficiency were present in 57, 146, 204, and 262 patients, respectively., Results: The anatomic repair was adjusted to the existing aortic annulus diameter, which was 27.0 ± 3.0 mm on average. Replacement of 1, 2, or 3 sinuses of Valsalva was performed in 209, 234, and 226 patients, respectively. Altogether, 454 additional procedures on the cusps were performed, mostly as cusp patch plasty with pericardium (210). Thirty-day mortality was 0.6%. The mean follow-up duration was 7.1 ± 4.1 years (range, 0.01-19.1 years). The estimated freedom from relevant aortic insufficiency grade 3+ or greater (15 events) was 98% ± 1%, 97% ± 1%, and 94% ± 3% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. On echocardiogram, no patient revealed a considerable change of the form or size of the repaired root, which was confirmed radiologically in 160 patients who received computed tomography angiography for any reason. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified cusp prolapse/pseudo-prolapse as the only independent risk factor for the development of recurrent insufficiency grade 2+ or greater (41 occurrences), with a hazard ratio of 3.258 (95% confidence interval, 1.658-6.403; P = .001). An association between aortic annulus size and functional results could not be demonstrated., Conclusions: Patient-tailored root repair using isolated sinus replacement offers excellent functional long-term results regardless of underlying root pathology or annulus size. Aortic cusp pathology was decisive for long-term valve function., (Copyright © 2021 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The objective was to design and evaluate a clinically relevant, novel ex vivo bicuspid aortic valve model that mimics the most common human phenotype with associated aortic regurgitation., Methods: Three bovine aortic valves were mounted asymmetrically in a previously validated 3-dimensional-printed left heart simulator. The non-right commissure and the non-left commissure were both shifted slightly toward the left-right commissure, and the left and right coronary cusps were sewn together. The left-right commissure was then detached and reimplanted 10 mm lower than its native height. Free margin shortening was used for valve repair. Hemodynamic status, high-speed videography, and echocardiography data were collected before and after the repair., Results: The bicuspid aortic valve model was successfully produced and repaired. High-speed videography confirmed prolapse of the fused cusp of the baseline bicuspid aortic valve models in diastole. Hemodynamic and pressure data confirmed accurate simulation of diseased conditions with aortic regurgitation and the subsequent repair. Regurgitant fraction postrepair was significantly reduced compared with that at baseline (14.5 ± 4.4% vs 28.6% ± 3.4%; P = .037). There was no change in peak velocity, peak gradient, or mean gradient across the valve pre- versus postrepair: 293.3 ± 18.3 cm/sec versus 325.3 ± 58.2 cm/sec (P = .29), 34.3 ± 4.2 mm Hg versus 43.3 ± 15.4 mm Hg (P = .30), and 11 ± 1 mm Hg versus 9.3 ± 2.5 mm Hg (P = .34), respectively., Conclusions: An ex vivo bicuspid aortic valve model was designed that recapitulated the most common human phenotype with aortic regurgitation. These valves were successfully repaired, validating its potential for evaluating valve hemodynamics and optimizing surgical repair for bicuspid aortic valves., (Copyright © 2020 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We aimed to analyze the association among flow patterns, gene expression, and histologic alterations of the proximal aorta in patients with aortic valve disease., Methods: A total of 131 patients referred for aortic valve replacement were grouped by valve dysfunction (aortic stenosis vs aortic regurgitation) and valve morphology (bicuspid vs tricuspid). On the basis of magnetic resonance imaging, aortic tissue from outer and inner curvature was collected for gene expression and histologic analysis. To identify differences in aortic remodeling, age- and sex-adjusted data for inflammation (CCL2, VCAM1, inflammation and atherosclerosis) and medial degeneration (COL1A1, ELN, fibrosis, elastin fragmentation, and cystic medial necrosis) were compared., Results: First, we compared all patients with aortic regurgitation (n = 64) and patients with aortic stenosis (n = 67). In patients with aortic regurgitation, COL1A1 expression and all histologic markers were significantly increased. With respect to aortic diameter, all subsequent analyses were refined by considering only individuals with aortic diameter 40 mm or greater. Second, patients with bicuspid aortic valve were compared, resulting in a similar aortic diameter. Although patients with aortic regurgitation were younger, no differences were found in gene expression or histologic level. Third, valve morphology was compared in patients with aortic regurgitation. Although aortic diameter was similar, patients with regurgitant bicuspid aortic valve were younger than patients with regurgitant tricuspid aortic valve. Inflammatory markers were similar, whereas markers for medial degeneration were increased in patients with regurgitant tricuspid aortic valve., Conclusions: Our results indicate that the proximal aorta in patients with aortic regurgitation showed an increased inflammation and medial degeneration compared with patients with aortic stenosis. Refining both groups by valve morphology, in patients with bicuspid aortic valve, no difference except age was detected between aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis. In patients with aortic regurgitation, tricuspid aortic valve revealed increased markers for medial degeneration but no differences regarding inflammatory markers., (Copyright © 2020 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: In patients presenting with aortic valvulopathy with concomitant ascending aortic aneurysm, surgical management of the sinus of Valsalva segment remains undefined, especially for moderately dilated aortic roots. In patients with this pathology undergoing aortic valve replacement with supracoronary ascending aorta replacement, we assessed the fate of the remnant preserved sinus of Valsalva segment stratified by aortic valve morphology and pathology., Methods: From 2002 to 2015, 428 patients underwent elective aortic valve replacement with supracoronary ascending aorta replacement. Patients were stratified on the basis of valvular morphology (bicuspid aortic valve [n = 254] and tricuspid aortic valve [n = 174]), valvular pathology (bicuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis [n = 178], bicuspid aortic valve with aortic insufficiency [n = 76], tricuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis [n = 61], tricuspid aortic valve with aortic insufficiency [n = 113]), and preoperative sinus of Valsalva dimensions (<40, 40-45, >45 mm)., Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in freedom from reoperation in tricuspid aortic valve versus bicuspid aortic valve (P = .576). Multivariable Cox regression model performed with sinus of Valsalva dimensions at baseline and follow-up as time-varying covariates did not adversely affect survival. A repeated-measure, mixed-effects model constructed to assess longitudinal sinus of Valsalva trends revealed that the retained sinus of Valsalva dimensions remain stable over long-term follow-up (discharge to ≥10 years), irrespective of valvular morphology/pathology (bicuspid aortic valve with aortic insufficiency, tricuspid aortic valve with aortic insufficiency, tricuspid aortic valve with aortic stenosis) and preoperative sinus of Valsalva groups (<40, 40-45, >45 mm)., Conclusions: In patients with nonaneurysmal sinuses of Valsalva undergoing aortic valve replacement with supracoronary ascending aorta replacement, the sinus segment can be preserved irrespective of the type of valvular pathology (aortic stenosis vs aortic insufficiency) or valvular morphology (bicuspid aortic valve vs tricuspid aortic valve). Aortic valve replacement with supracoronary ascending aorta replacement may have a stabilizing effect on the sinus segment over long-term follow-up in patients with tricuspid aortic valves or bicuspid aortic valves., (Copyright © 2017 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We describe a simple method to assess the aortic valve using a videoscope inserted in the left ventricle (LV-VS) during valve-sparing root replacement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of this technique by comparing it with the findings of postoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)., Methods: Thirty-six patients (29 male, mean age 45.4 ± 20.1 years) undergoing aortic root reimplantation were assessed intraoperatively with LV-VS. The LV-VS was inserted from the right upper pulmonary vein into the left ventricle and set toward the aortic valve. After completion of graft implantation, inspection was performed with LV-VS by pressurizing the neo-sinus before attachment of coronary arteries. Valve competency evaluated by LV-VS was compared with postoperative TEE findings, according to the group of cusp morphologies. Group 1 included 26 patients with tricuspid aortic valve, and group 2 included 9 patients with bicuspid aortic valve and 1 quadricuspid aortic valve., Results: The grade of aortic regurgitation (AR) improved from 2.9 ± 1.6 preoperatively to 0.33 ± 0.6 postoperatively (P < .001 vs preoperatively). In 4 patients, LV-VS was used only before repair. In group 1, intraoperative LV-VS showed a competent valve in 20 and an incompetent valve in 3 patients, and postoperative TEE showed non/trivial AR in 15, mild AR in 5, and mild-to-moderate AR in 3 patients. In group 2, 9 patients achieved a competent valve on intraoperative LV-VS and non/trivial AR on postoperative TEE., Conclusions: Intraoperative direct inspection with LV-VS is a feasible method for confirming the completion of cusp repair., (Copyright © 2017 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Successful aortic valve repair must normalize cusp and root dimensions. Limited information is available on the normal dimensions of human cusps, in particular the cusp height., Methods: The cusp height was measured intraoperatively in 621 patients during aortic valve repair procedures. A tricuspid anatomy was present in 329 patients and bicuspid in 286 patients. In addition, patient age, gender, height, weight, preoperative degree of aortic regurgitation, and aortic dimensions were recorded. The data were analyzed for possible interrelation between the cusp height and clinical variables., Results: In the bicuspid valves, the geometric height of the nonfused cusp ranged from 15 to 30 mm (mean, 23.8 ± 2.0). Significant correlations were found between the cusp height and all clinical variables. In the tricuspid valves, the height of the noncoronary cusp ranged from 14 to 28 mm (mean, 20.7 ± 2.2). The height of the left coronary cusp varied from 12 to 25 mm (mean, 20.0 ± 2.1) and that of the right coronary cusp from 12 to 25 mm (mean, 20.0 ± 2.1). The noncoronary cusp was significantly greater than the left and the right coronary cusp (P = .000). No difference was found between the left and right cusps (P = .513). Significant correlations between the geometric height and clinical parameters were found for most clinical variables, excluding the degree of aortic regurgitation., Conclusions: We found the cusp height was larger than previously published. It shows marked variability and correlates with the clinical variables. These data might serve as the basis for decision making in aortic valve repair., (Copyright © 2013 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study was undertaken to explore aspects of the hemodynamic function of different biologic tissue aortic valve root replacements. We set out to image and display the spatiotemporal distributions of axially directed blood velocity through the aortic root., Methods: The flow velocities through a plane transecting the aortic root were measured by 2-dimensional cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance velocity mapping in 44 subjects: 29 patients who had undergone aortic root replacement approximately 10 years previously (13 autografts, 10 stentless xenografts, and 6 homografts) and 15 healthy control subjects. With cine as well as velocity images, aortic sinus dimensions, effective orifice area, and several velocity parameters were measured. Color-coded plots of velocity relative to the sinus cross sections and velocity-time plots were used to compare spatiotemporal distributions of velocity., Results: Peak flow velocity was similar between the autografts (102 ± 28.0 cm/s) and control valves (119 ± 20.0 cm/s) but was higher in xenografts (167 ± 36.0 cm/s) and homografts (206 ± 91.0 cm/s). These measurements showed an inverse relationship with the effective orifice area (7.27 ± 0.20, 4.24 ± 0.81, 3.37 ± 0.32, and 3.28 ± 0.87 cm(2), respectively). Autograft peak flow velocity showed no significant difference from control valve peak flow velocity, despite larger root dimensions (P < .001). The graphic displays provided further spatiotemporal information., Conclusions: Peak velocities and spatiotemporal flow patterns depend on the type of valve substitute. In the parameters measured, autograft replacements differed least from normal aortic valves., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft has been observed after the Ross procedure. Whether the remaining native aorta dilates is not known. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and severity of autograft and native aortic dilatation over time and to identify possible determinants., Methods: Ninety-one adult patients underwent the Ross procedure with the full root replacement technique. In 31 (34%) patients, the ascending aorta was downsized during surgical intervention. A baseline postoperative echocardiographic investigation was performed. A comprehensive investigation of the aorta from the annulus to the proximal descending aorta was performed (n = 71) after a median follow-up of 8.9 years. An intermediate investigation was performed (n = 29) after a median of 7.6 years. Autograft and native aortic dimensions were compared over time and with those of a control group (n = 38). For each patient in the study group, the expected aortic dimensions were predicted based on findings in the control group. Enlargement was defined as a z score of greater than 1.96 from the predicted value., Results: The autograft and native aortic dimensions increased significantly from baseline to the intermediate follow-up and continued to increase to the final follow-up. The proportion of patients with enlarged autografts and proximal ascending aortas was 13% and 16% at baseline, increasing to 33% (P = .006) and 44% (P = .0014), respectively, at the end of follow-up. Enlargement of the aorta at the final follow-up was related to larger baseline pulmonary autograft dimensions but not to native bicuspid valve or the need to downsize the aortic root., Conclusions: Pulmonary autograft dilatation is common after the Ross procedure in adults. The dilatation progresses over time and is often accompanied by dilatation of the native aorta., (Copyright © 2011 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Patients with bicuspid aortic valve are at increased risk for aortic complications., Methods: A total of 115 consecutive patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease underwent surgery of the ascending aorta. We classified the cusp configuration by 3 types: fusion of left coronary and right coronary cusps (type A), fusion of right coronary and noncoronary cusps (type B), and fusion of left coronary and noncoronary cusps (type C). Histopathologic changes in the ascending aortic wall were graded (aortic wall score)., Results: We observed type A fusion in 85 patients (73.9%), type B fusion in 28 patients (24.3%), and type C fusion in 2 patients (1.8%). Patients with type A fusion were younger at operation than patients with type B fusion (51.3 +/- 15.5 years vs 58.7 +/- 7.6 years, respectively; P = .034). The mean ascending aorta diameter was 48.9 +/- 5.0 mm and 48.7 +/- 5.7 mm in type A and type B fusion groups, respectively (P = .34). The mean aortic root diameter was significantly larger in type A fusion (4.9 +/- 6.7 mm vs 32.7 +/- 2.8 mm; P < .0001). The aortic wall score was significantly higher in type A fusion than in type B fusion (P = .02). The prevalence of aortic wall histopathologic changes was significantly higher in type A fusion. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences between type A and type B fusion in terms of prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve stenosis, regurgitation, or mixed disease., Conclusion: In diseased bicuspid aortic valves, there was a statistically significant association between type A valve anatomy and a more severe degree of wall degeneration in the ascending aorta and dilatation of the aortic root at younger age compared with type B valve anatomy.

Background: End-systolic diameter (ESD) is an important parameter in the prognosis and indication for surgery in chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). It has been suggested that ESD values noncorrected for body surface area (BSA) could be inappropriate in the management of patients with extreme BSA. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of indexed ESD (IESD) of the left ventricle in the management of patients with severe isolated chronic AR., Methods: One hundred forty-seven patients underwent surgery for chronic AR and were followed up for a mean of 8 +/- 6 years (1-22 years). A post hoc assessment was made of the prognostic value of preoperative ESD and IESD in different BSA percentiles: group 1, 25th percentile and 75th percentile (BSA 1.92-2.24 m(2), n = 39)., Results: Age-adjusted preoperative ESD and IESD were independent predictors of mortality or heart failure in the entire population. Magnitude of the relative risk was slightly greater using preoperative IESD than ESD (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.29, P = .017; HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, P = .016). In group 1, the age-adjusted expected mortality rate would drop if IESD of 25 mm/m(2) was used as a surgical criterion instead of ESD 50 mm, from 37.94% to 24.27% at 10 years (P = .002)., Conclusions: The use of IESD improves the prediction of unfavorable outcomes after surgery in patients with low BSA but not in those with high BSA. In patients with low BSA, IESD >or=25 mm/m(2) should be used as a cutoff point for surgery rather than ESD >50 mm.

Objective: In general, classification of a disease has proven to be advantageous for disease management. This may also be valid for the bicuspid aortic valve, because the term "bicuspid aortic valve" stands for a common congenital aortic valve malformation with heterogeneous morphologic phenotypes and function resulting in different treatment strategies. We attempted to establish a classification system based on a 5-year data collection of surgical specimens., Methods: Between 1999 and 2003 a precise description of valve pathology was obtained from operative reports of 304 patients with a diseased bicuspid aortic valve. Several different characteristics of bicuspid aortic valves were tested to generate a pithy and easily applicable classification system., Results: Three characteristics for a systematic classification were found appropriate: (1) number of raphes, (2) spatial position of cusps or raphes, and (3) functional status of the valve. The first characteristic was found to be the most significant and therefore termed "type." Three major types were identified: type 0 (no raphe), type 1 (one raphe), and type 2 (two raphes), followed by two supplementary characteristics, spatial position and function. These characteristics served to classify and codify the bicuspid aortic valves into three categories. Most frequently, a bicuspid aortic valve with one raphe was identified (type 1, n = 269). This raphe was positioned between the left (L) and right (R) coronary sinuses in 216 (type 1, L/R) with a hemodynamic predominant stenosis (S) in 119 (type 1, L/R, S). Only 21 patients had a "purely" bicuspid aortic valve with no raphe (type 0)., Conclusions: A classification system for the bicuspid aortic valve with one major category ("type") and two supplementary categories is presented. This classification, even if used in the major category (type) alone, might be advantageous to better define bicuspid aortic valve disease, facilitate scientific communication, and improve treatment.

Objective: Sparing the aortic valve has become a surgical option for patients who require repair of aortic root ectasia and have normal valve leaflets. Surgical approaches to valve sparing differ with regard to preservation of the native sinuses of Valsalva. The role of the sinuses and the importance of maintaining them remain controversial., Methods: By using a time-resolved, 3-dimensional, phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging technique, aortic root and aortic blood velocity data were acquired from 2 patients with Marfan syndrome 6 months after aortic valve-sparing surgery with straight Dacron grafts and contrasted with data from 6 normal volunteers., Results: In normal aortas vortical blood flow became apparent in the individual sinuses after peak systole. The vortices filled the available space behind the valve leaflets and persisted until diastole, expanding and moving inward during aortic valve closure. In contrast, no vortices were observed in the postoperative patients with Marfan syndrome with negligible sinuses., Conclusions: Changes in supravalvular flow accompany loss of sinus architecture. Whether the presence, size, and velocity of supravalvular vortices affects the function or durability of the preserved aortic valve remains to be studied.

Objective: We sought to investigate the relationship of female sex, aortic pathology, and left ventricular function to outcome after an operation for aortic regurgitation., Methods: One hundred nine women underwent aortic valve replacement (n = 92) or repair (n = 17) for pure aortic regurgitation between 1985 and 1996. Mean follow-up was 5.7 +/- 2.6 years. New York Heart Association functional class III-IV symptoms were present in 70 patients, whereas left ventricular function was normal in 60 patients. Ascending aortic diameter in 97% exceeded the 90th percentile for a size-matched healthy population. A concomitant aortic operation was performed by means of root replacement in 31 patients and by means of interposition graft in 28 patients. Of 50 patients undergoing isolated valve procedures, 19 had aortas of 4.0 cm or larger., Results: At 5 and 10 years, survival was 78% and 44%, respectively. Fatal aortic rupture occurred in 13 patients, and 2 others underwent emergency operations for impending aortic rupture, for a total of 15 late aortic events. Freedom from aortic events was 87% and 76% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Risk factors for aortic events were older age (P =.07) and increasing ascending aortic diameter indexed to body surface area (P =.03) in women who had not undergone replacement of the ascending aorta. Rupture location was at the ascending aorta in 71% without ascending replacement and the descending aorta in 62% with ascending grafts., Conclusion: In women, late survival after an operation for aortic regurgitation is importantly decreased by coexisting aortic pathology with subsequent aortic rupture. Aortic replacement at the time of a valve operation should be considered on the basis of indexed aortic size.

Although aortic root dilation has etiologic and prognostic significance in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR), no information is available regarding changes over time in aortic root size in patients with the entire spectrum of AR severity or how such changes relate to progression of the AR or to left ventricular (LV) overload. To analyze this, a total of 127 patients with chronic AR who had more than 6 months of follow-up by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were included in the study (69 men and 58 women; mean age 59.3 +/- 21.2 years [range 14 to 94 years]; 67 cases of mild, 45 moderate, 15 severe, and 21 bicuspid aortic valve disease). The aortic anulus, sinuses of Valsalva, supraaortic ridge, and ascending aorta were measured in the parasternal long-axis view, LV volumes were calculated (biplane Simpson's approach), and the severity of AR was quantified based on proximal jet size and graded according to an algorithm that takes into account major color Doppler criteria. At entry to the study, significant differences between patients with mild, moderate, and severe AR were noted only in supraaortic ridge size (1.46 +/- 0.29 cm/m2 vs 1.63 +/- 0.33 cm/m2 [p < 0.006]; vs 1.67 +/- 0.43 cm/m2 [p < 0.03]). A significant increase in aortic root size at all levels was observed during the follow-up period in all three groups of severity of AR. The rate of change of the supraaortic ridge, the upper support structure of the anulus and cusps, was faster in patients with more severe degrees of AR (p = 0.013); this was not the case at the other aortic levels. No differences were observed in aortic root size or rate of progression between patients with bicuspid or tricuspid aortic valves. Patients were considered "progressive" if they lay on the steepest positive segment of the curve representing the rank order in the rate of aortic root progression. Compared with "nonprogressive" patients, patients who were progressive in supraaortic ridge size (rate >0.12 cm/yr; n = 23) had a faster rate of progression in the degree of regurgitation as assessed by the regurgitant jet area/LV outflow tract area ratio measured in the parasternal short-axis view (0.48 +/- 0.45 vs 0.24 +/- 0.5/yr; p < 0.03) and a foster rate of progression of LV end-diastolic volume (30 +/- 22.8 vs 14.4 +/- 15.6 ml/yr; p < 0.0002) and LV mass (70.8 +/- 74.4 vs 16.8 +/- 19.2 gm/yr; p < 0.0004). In conclusion, there is progressive dilation of the aortic root at all levels, even in patients with mild AR. More rapid progression in aortic root size is associated with more rapid progression of the underlying aortic insufficiency, as well as more rapid increases in LV volume and mass.

The relationship of combined rest and exercise electrocardiographic (ECG) repolarization abnormalities to left ventricular geometry and function was examined in 48 patients with asymptomatic chronic pure aortic regurgitation and no recent use of digitalis. Echocardiographic and radionuclide cineangiographic findings were compared in groups defined by the presence or absence of the "strain" pattern of repolarization abnormality on the resting ECG and also by the presence or absence of standard positive repolarization changes during upright treadmill exercise ( > 0.1 mV additional horizontal or downsloping ST depression). These hierarchic groups demonstrated trends toward progressively abnormal left ventricular dimensions, mass, wall stress, and change in ejection fraction with exercise. Although the presence of the strain pattern on the resting ECG alone was most strongly correlated with underlying functional and geometric abnormalities, an abnormal exercise test response was independently associated with abnormal left ventricular systolic dimension. The large group of patients with no symptoms and normal resting repolarization had only 0% to 4% prevalences of markedly increased systolic dimension (> 55 mm), reduced ejection fraction at rest (< 45%), or reduced ejection fraction during exercise (< 40%), whereas the small group of patients with abnormal resting repolarization and a positive exercise test response had 50% to 83% prevalences of these findings. These data suggest a possible role for rest and exercise ECG in the serial evaluation of patients with aortic regurgitation.

Unlabelled: The pulmonary autograft is being used with increasing frequency to replace the diseased aortic valve in the pediatric population. Attempted surgical aortic valvuloplasty with an unacceptable result and return to cardiopulmonary bypass for aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft results in prolonged bypass time and increased potential for morbidity. Therefore, the ability to predict an unsuccessful outcome for valvuloplasty would be of significant clinical benefit. This issue is addressed in the present study., Methods: Twenty-two patients (median age 5.7 years, range 3 weeks to 14 years) with bicuspid (n = 11), tricuspid (n = 9), or quadricuspid (n = 2) aortic valves underwent valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis (n = 9), aortic regurgitation (n = 7), or a combination (n = 6). Previous related procedures included balloon aortic valvuloplasty (n = 3) and open surgical valvotomy (n = 1). Median pressure gradient across the aortic valve was 80 mm Hg. Surgical valvuloplasty techniques included thinning of leaflets (n = 18), commissurotomy (n = 15), suspension of reconstructed leaflet to the aortic wall (n = 10), closure of leaflet fenestration (n = 5), shortening of free edge of prolapsed cusp (n = 4), repair of torn leaflets (n = 3), and augmentation of scarred leaflets with autologous pericardium (n = 3). Concomitant subvalvular and supravalvular stenosis were repaired in nine and four patients, respectively. In five patients, during the same hospital stay, a failed valvuloplasty was converted into a valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft because of residual or resultant stenosis (n = 3) or regurgitation (n = 2)., Results: No early or late deaths occurred. At a median follow-up of 16.3 months the median pressure gradient across the aortic valve in the 15 patients with preoperative stenosis or combined stenosis and regurgitation was 16 mm Hg (p < 0.01 versus preoperative gradient). Of the 22 patients, the aortic valve functioned normally (defined as < or = mild stenosis or regurgitation, or both) in 14 patients (including five patients with valve replacement); four patients had stenosis (gradients 40, 45, 60, and 60 mm Hg), two patients had regurgitation, and two patients had combined stenosis (gradients 40 and 50 mm Hg) and regurgitation. Three of the patients with recurrent stenosis underwent secondary surgical valvuloplasty without improvement. Outcome after valvuloplasty was examined according to valve structure: six of nine tricuspid valves functioned normally, whereas only three of 13 nontricuspid valves functioned normally (P = 0.07). Patients with a nontricuspid aortic valve and regurgitation had a high probability of requiring immediate valve replacement (P = 0.009). The actuarial freedom from significant native valve stenosis or regurgitation at 24 months was 82% for tricuspid valves and 36% for nontricuspid valves (P = 0.007)., Conclusions: (1) Surgical aortic valvuloplasty should be the preferred approach when the aortic valve is tricuspid. (2) In contrast, aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft should be the preferred strategy in the presence of a nontricuspid aortic valve (especially when the aortic valve is regurgitant) and after failed surgical valvuloplasty.

Isolated aortic valve regurgitation that results from disease that primarily affects the aortic wall can be repaired by remodeling of the aortic anulus to restore its normal geometry. This involves excision of the aortic wall to within 2 to 3 mm of the leaflet attachments, detachment of the coronary ostia, reshaping of the anulus with the aid of a Dacron graft, and then reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Increases in the surface area of the leaflet that are caused by root dilatation are often present and can be accommodated in the repair procedure. In this study we describe our experience with 10 patients with annuloaortic ectasia who underwent the remodeling procedure at the National Heart Hospital and the Royal Brompton Hospital from 1982 to 1990.

A case of endocardial tuberculoma of the left atrium in a 20-year-old woman is presented. Ulceration of the tuberculoma at the aortic anulus led to disruption of the aortic valvular attachment and induced severe aortic insufficiency. Replacement of the aortic valve and administration of antituberculous medication permitted an uneventful recovery. This is probably the first case of tuberculous aortic insufficiency diagnosed in a living patient and surgically treated with the use of extracorporeal bypass.

Although atrial natriuretic factor is primarily of atrial origin, recent observations indicate that the hormone is also synthesized by hypertrophied left ventricular myocardium. To assess the separate influences of left ventricular and left atrial dilatation and left ventricular hypertrophy on human atrial natriuretic factor levels, left atrial dimension and volume and left ventricular dimension and mass were compared in 49 normal subjects, in 33 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation, and in 15 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation. When compared with normal subjects, patients with chronic aortic and mitral regurgitation had similarly dilated and hypertrophied left ventricles (p less than 0.0005), while only mitral regurgitation patients had significantly enlarged (p less than 0.0005) mean left atrial dimension and volume. Likewise, plasma atrial natriuretic factor was elevated among patients with mitral regurgitation (60.3 +/- 47.0 fmol/ml) but was normal in patients with aortic regurgitation (19.0 +/- 11.0 fmol/ml versus 12.4 +/- 5.2 fmol/ml in normals; both p less than 0.0005 versus mitral regurgitation). Among all 97 subjects, atrial natriuretic factor levels correlated more closely with left atrial dimension and volume (r = 0.62 and 0.64, p less than 0.0005) than with left ventricular dimension (r = 0.44, p less than 0.0005) or mass (r = 0.40, p less than 0.0005). In addition, multivariate analysis indicated that left atrial volume bore a stronger independent relationship to plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels than either age or left ventricular variables.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Measurement of the spatial extent of the regurgitant jet was performed in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) with a 3 MHz two-dimensional echo-pulsed Doppler device, in order to assess the severity of aortic regurgitation on a quantitative basis. The procedure included: detection of diastolic disturbances in the LVOT and mapping of these disturbances in the LVOT. Length (L) and height (H) were measured with calculation of the product (L X H) in the long-axis view and width (W) in the short-axis view with calculation of the LVOT regurgitant index (LVOTRI) as follows: ([L X H] X W). Twelve normal subjects and a group of 83 patients, including 40 patients with aortic regurgitation proved by aortography, were investigated with this procedure. Diagnostic reliability ranged between 90% for specificity and 95% for sensitivity. Correlations between the grading provided by the LVOTRI and those provided by aortography on a three-grade scale showed a correlation coefficient between 0.67 (linear model, p less than 0.01) and 0.80 (exponential model), because of the high values of the index in cases of severe regurgitation. Reliability of the LVOT investigation in aortic regurgitation requires the use of information from two combined scan planes and quantitative rather than qualitative data. Main limitations of the procedure are due to the presence of associated mitral lesions.

The exercise ECGs of 30 patients with pure aortic regurgitation (AR) were compared with functional and geometric variables measured by echocardiography and radionuclide cineangiography. The 10 patients with positive ECG responses to exercise (greater than or equal to 0.1 mV additional downsloping or horizontal ST segment depression) were similar to the 20 patients with negative tests with respect to mean age, exercise duration, peak work load achieved, symptoms, and resting ECG findings. Patients with positive exercise tests had significantly reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions at rest (44 +/- 4% vs 52 +/- 2%) and during peak exercise (38 +/- 3% vs 48 +/- 2%), lower fractional shortening at rest (27 +/- 1% vs 34 +/- 2%), higher end-systolic wall stress (150 +/- 18 vs 99 +/- 8 dynes/cm2 X 10(3], lower left ventricular relative wall thickness (0.26 +/- 0.01 vs 0.30 +/- 0.01), and greater end-systolic diameter (5.7 +/- 0.3 vs 4.5 +/- 0.2 cm) than patients with negative tests (p less than 0.05 for all comparisons). Among the 18 asymptomatic patients, positive tests were associated with lower resting fractional shortening, lower exercise ejection fraction, higher wall stress, and greater end-systolic diameter. These data demonstrate that a positive exercise ECG in aortic regurgitation identifies patients, even when asymptomatic, who have developed markedly abnormal left ventricular functional and geometric responses to volume load, while a negative exercise ECG identifies a subset of asymptomatic patients who are unlikely to have severe ventricular dysfunction.

A rare case of combined aortic and mitral regurgitation resulting from downward displacement of the aortic anulus is reported. The patient was treated successfully with an aortic valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis, which was anchored at the normal site of the aortic anulus. No procedures were performed on the mitral valve, but mitral regurgitation was not evident postoperatively.

Recently discrepancies have been reported between echocardiographic (Echo) % delta D and angiocardiographic (Angio) ejection fraction (EF), particularly in valvular regurgitation. One hundred and twelve patients with varying degrees of LV dilatation were studied in the right anterior oblique position with M-mode Echo. None had localized contraction abnormalities. There were 20 normals, 33 with primary myocardial disease, and 59 with mitral and/or aortic regurgitation. Echo end-diastolic diameter (EDD) and end-systolic diameter (ESD) were consistently smaller than Angio calculated EDD and ESD, and the difference was magnified at larger EDDs (p less than 0.01). The result is a relatively poor correlation of Echo % delta D and Angio EF (r = 0.69), compared to r = 0.98 for Angio % delta D and EF, both from Angio visualization. However, if valvular disease patients are excluded, the correlation improves to 0.82. The mechanisms for these disparities include increased sphericity as the ventricle dilates, and in the case of valvular disease where the EF is better for any degree of dilatation, the echo measurement errors for EDD and ESD are different.

The effect of the spontaneous occurrence of ventricular fibrillation during aortic valve replacement and coronary arterial perfusion was studied in a consecutive series of 361 such operations. All operations were performed in a standard manner before 1972. One fourth of the patients experienced ventricular fibrillation,and the early mortality rate of this group was significantly (p less than 0.005) higher 7.3 per cent) than in the nonfibrillating group (1.5 per cent). The total mortality rate was 3 per cent. However, late results among survivors of the operations showed no effect of fibrillation. These findings indicate that ventricular fibrillation should be avoided in these patients. Whether or not countershock is advisable if and when fibrillation occurs remains an unanswered question.