• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1234-1237
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• 1998

Patients with aortic root disease, frequently seen in Marfan syndrome have progressive dilatation of the aortic sinuses and dilatation and distortion of the aortic annulus, leading to aortic incompetence. They are currently treated with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve and reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Recently, we experienced an aortic root replacement with aortic valve preservation in a patient with annuloaortic ectasia. The ascending aorta and sinus was excised except the aortic annulus and aortic valve. The aortic valve was reimplanted inside of a collagen-impregnated tubular Dacron graft. The coronary arteries were also reimplanted. The patient was followed up for six months and reevaluated with the echocardiography. Postoperative Doppler echocardiography revealed normal aortic valve function. With this technique, it is possible to preserve the native aortic valve if the aortic leaflets are anatomically normal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2023

Background: The surgical threshold for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)-related aortopathy is a matter of debate due to its uncertain etiology and prognosis. This study investigated the prognosis of unrepaired BAV aortopathy in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 720 patients (age, 60.8±11.5 years; 246 women) who underwent SAVR for BAV disease without aortic repair between 2005 and 2020 at Asan Medical Center. The clinical endpoints were defined as occurrences of sudden death, aortic dissection or rupture, and elective aortic repair. To estimate postoperative changes in the dimensions of the unrepaired aorta, the individual annual aortic expansion rate was calculated. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the risk of aortic expansion. Results: The mean ascending aortic diameter was 39.5±4.6 mm, and 299 patients (41.5%) had a baseline ascending aorta diameter >40 mm. During 70.0±68.3 months of follow-up, the mean annual aortic expansion rate was 0.39±1.96 mm/yr, no aortic dissection or rupture was observed, and sudden deaths were reported in 12 patients (0.34% per person-year). Linear regression analysis revealed no significant correlation between the baseline ascending aortic diameter and postoperative aortic expansion (R²=0.004, β=-0.84, p=0.082). Conclusion: In selected patients undergoing SAVR for a BAV (<55 mm), the risk of adverse aortic events was very low. As this observation contradicts current practice guidelines advocating for proactive aortic replacement in dilated ascending aortas measuring >45 mm, the study results need further validation by studies involving larger populations or randomized controlled trials.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2002

This study was undertaken to analyze the outcome of composite valve graftreplacement(CVGR) for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. Material and Method: Between April 1995 and June 2001, 56 patients had replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic root with a composite graft valve and were reviewed retrospectively. Aortic regurgitation was present in 50 patients(89%), Marfan's syndrome in 18 patients(32%), and bicuspid aortic valve in 7(12.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia(AAE) in 30 patients(53.6%), aortic dissection in 13(23.2%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 11(19.6%), and aortitis in 2(3.6%). Cardiogenic shock due to the aortic rupture was present in 2 patients. Nine patients(16%) had previous operations on the ascending aorta or open heart surgery. The operative techniques used for CVGR were the aortic button technique in 51 patients(91%), the modified Cabrol technique in 4, and the classic Bentall technique in 1. The concomitant procedures were aortic arch replacement in 24 patients(43%), coronary artery bypass graft in 8(14.3%), mitral valve repair in 2, redo mitral valve replacement in 1, and the others in 7 The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 21$\pm$14 minutes, 186$\pm$68 minutes, and 132$\pm$42 minutes, respectively. Result: Early mortality was 1.8%(1/56). The postoperative complications were left ventricular dysfunction in 16 patients(28.6%), reoperation for bleeding in 7(12.5%), pericardial effusion in 2, and the others in 7. Fifty-three patients out of 55 hospital survivors were followed up for a mean of 23.2 $\pm$ 18.7 months(1-75 months). There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage, and CVGR-related late mortality was 1.9%. The 1- and 6-year actuarial survival was 98.1$\pm$1.9% and 93.2$\pm$5.1%, respectively. Two patients required reoperation for complication of CYGR(3.8%) and two other patients required subsequent operations for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta. The 1- and 6-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 97.8$\pm$2.0% and 65.3$\pm$26.7%, respectively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.368-371
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• 2019

A unicuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital malformation that frequently presents with valvular dysfunction and dilatation or aortic aneurysm, requiring combined aortic valve surgery and aortic repair. Some patients show severe valve calcification extending into the interventricular septum, possibly resulting in damage to the conduction system during debridement for valve replacement. We present a rare case of severe aortic stenosis with a unicommissural unicuspid aortic valve diagnosed by preoperative transesophageal echocardiography in a 36-year-old man. After composite graft replacement of the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta, a permanent pacemaker was placed because of postoperative complete heart block.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.926-933
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• 1993

We experienced 20 patients with Takayasu`s disease who required 22 surgical procedures for critical arterial stenoses, aneurym of descending thoracic aorta, and aortic regurgitation from 1986 to 1993.Five patients had type I arteritis, seven patients had type II , seven patients had type III, and one patients had type IV.15 patients were female and 5 patients were male.Patients` ages ranged from 17 to 47 years and mean age was 29.1 years. The surgical procedures were as follows;autotransplantations of kidney[3], aortic valve replacements[2], ascending aorta-bilateral internal carotid artery bypasses[2], unilateral renal artery bypasses[2], bilateral renal artery bypasses[3], replacement of descending thoracic aorta[1], ascending aorta-abdominal aorta bypass[1], ascending aorta-right internal carotid artery bypass[1], ascending aorta-right internal carotid artery and left subclavian artery bypass[1], left common carotid artery-left-subclavian artery bypass[1], pulmonary artery angioplasty[1], left femoro-bilateral axillary bypass[1] and others[2]. There was no hospital death.Mean duration of follow-up was 42.7 months[ranged from 3 to 96 months].There was one late death and late mortality rate is 5.9%.Two patients was underwent second vascular procedures, one after 5 years and the other after 5 months.The other patients have done well after surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.404-410
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• 1987

An 18-day-old male neonate with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent surgical intervention by modification of the Norwood procedure on September 23, 1986. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a serious congenital cardiac anomaly that has a fatal outlook if left untreated. Included in this anomaly are [1] aortic valve atresia, and hypoplasia of the ascending aorta and aortic arch, [1] mitral valve atresia or hypoplasia, and [3] diminutive or absent left ventricle. Patent ductus arteriosus is essential for any survival, and there is usually a patent foramen ovale. Coarctation of the aorta is frequently associated with the lesion.z With a limited period of cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and circulatory arrest, the ductus arteriosus was excised. The main pulmonary artery was divided immediately below its branches, and the distal stump of the divided pulmonary artery was closed with a pericardial patch. The aortic arch was incised, and a 1 5mm tubular Dacron prosthesis was inserted between the main pulmonary artery and the aortic arch. A 4mm shunt of polytetrafluoroethylene graft was established between the new ascending aorta and the right pulmonary artery to provide controlled pulmonary blood flow. Following rewarming, the heart started to beat regularly, but the patient could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. At autopsy, the patient was found to have hypoplasia of the aortic tract complex with mitral atresia and aortic atresia. A secundum atrial septal defect was noted. Right atrial and ventricular hypertrophy was present, and the left ventricle was entirely absent. Although unsuccessful in this case report, continuing experience with hypoplastic left heart syndrome will lead to an improvement in result.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 1991

Between November, 1981 and July, 1989, 4 patients, 3 male and 1 female patients ranging in age from 36 to 45 years, were operated on for aortic insufficiency associated with uncomplicated annuloaortic ectasia. All patients were in New York Heart Association class III. Two patients had clinical stigmata of the Marfan syndrome. The surgical treatment consisted of. supracoronary replacement of ascending aorta with vascular graft and replacement of the aortic valve in our first case. and composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with reimplantation of the coronary arteries in subsequent 3 cases. Our first patient developed aneurysm of proximal aorta and pseudoaneurysm of distal aortic anastomosis 5 years postoperatively. One patient among the three patients with Ben-tall operation, died of ventricular fibrillation and myocardial failure during immediate postoperative period. Remaining 2 patients were in NYHA class I with follow-up of 16 months and 20 months respectively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.722-725
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• 2004

Mitral valve surgery is most commonly performed through the left atriotomy via the inter-atrial groove or trans-septal approach. An alternative method for approaching to the mitral valve is via the dome of the left atrium located between the ascending aorta and superior vena cava. Although this approach was described 30 years ago, it has not been popularized in mitral valve surgery. We introduce our recent experiences with mitral valve surgery carried out through the dome of the left atrium with brief review of literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 1992

From 1985 to 1990, a total of 160 new valves were implanted for 125 adult patients to whom prosthetic valve replacement had been performed [One patient had consecutive 2 reoperations]. Following data are the results from the follow-up study from January 1985 to February 1991. Mean age of the patients was 37.9$\pm$12.1 years. Mean follow-up period was 25.8$\pm$18.8 months. In bioprosthesis, mean interval between the previous operation and reoperation was 85.6$\pm$36.4 months in aortic valve, and 87.3$\pm$30.0 months in mitral valve. The causes of reoperation were prosthetic valve failure[103 patients, 81.7%], prosthetic valve endocarditis[17 patients, 13.5%], periprosthetic leakage[5 patients, 4.0%], and aneurysm of ascending aorta[1 patient, 0.8%]. Fourteen patients[11.1%] died in hospital; 5 in 22 replacement of aortic valve[22.7%], 6 in 73 rereplacement of mitral valve[8.2%], and 3 in 31 replacement of multiple valves [9.7%] Except for 3 intraoperative deaths, postoperative, major and minor complications occurred in 39 patients[31.0%]. And the actuarial 5-year survival rate of operative survivors was 95.5$\pm$8.6%.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1019-1023
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• 1997

The anomaly which the right pulmonary artery originates from the ascending aorta is a rare and usually fatal form of congenital heart disease. This lesion is often associated with a patent ductus arteriosus. Death frequently occurs in early infancy. Anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery is much more common than anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery. The anomalous right pulmonary artery usually arise from the posterior aspect of the ascending aorta close to the aortic valve. We report a 1 month-old infant with right pulmonary artery arising from the ascending aorta, which was corrected successfully by direct anastomosis to the main pul onary artery.