Aortic root replacement with stentless porcine xenografts: early and late outcomes in 132 patients.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, aortic root replacement has most commonly involved mechanical composite valve grafts, which have excellent durability but necessitate lifelong anticoagulation. Stentless porcine xenografts (bioroots) are a recently developed alternative that enable root replacement without the necessity of long-term anticoagulation. This study examined the early and late outcomes of aortic root replacement with porcine bioroots. METHODS: Porcine bioroots were used for root replacement in 132 patients. Of these, 129 (97.7%) required graft extensions for ascending aortic replacement, and 55 (41.7%) underwent aortic arch replacement. Twenty-three operations (17.4%) were reoperations. Twenty-four patients (18.2%) had aortic dissection. Early and late outcomes were ascertained by reviewing medical records. Changes in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class were used to assess improvements in functional status. Follow-up echocardiography results were reviewed to assess bioprosthetic valve function and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction. RESULTS: There were 10 operative deaths (7.6%), 9 of which were directly related to intraoperative ventricular failure. Nine patients (6.8%) had late valve-related complications, including 5 patients with prosthetic endocarditis (3 died), 1 annular pseudoaneurysm, and 3 sudden, unexplained deaths. Survivors' NYHA status and left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly. No structural valve dysfunction was evident during follow-up. Actuarial survival was 85.6% +/- 3.1% at 1 year and 77.8% +/- 4.8% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic root replacement with porcine xenografts can be performed with respectable early and late outcomes, even when combined with aortic arch replacement. Further follow-up is necessary to evaluate long-term bioroot durability.

Spectrum of aortic operations in 300 patients with confirmed or suspected Marfan syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Marfan syndrome. Many patients with presumed Marfan syndrome do not meet current diagnostic criteria. This study reviews the surgical aspects of aortic disease in 300 patients referred with the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. METHODS: During a 16-year period, 300 patients with presumed Marfan syndrome underwent 398 operations on the aorta and branch arteries, including 125 aortic root operations, 59 aortic arch repairs, 31 descending thoracic aortic repairs, and 178 thoracoabdominal aortic repairs. Based on medical record review, patients were classified as confirmed Marfan syndrome if documented features satisfied current diagnostic criteria; patients not meeting these criteria were classified as suspected Marfan syndrome. RESULTS: There were 17 operative deaths (4.3%) after the 398 operations. Survival after the initial referral operation was 96.2% +/- 1.5% at 1 year, 82.7% +/- 2.4% at 5 years, and 74.6% +/- 3.1% at 10 years. Presentations, operative details, and outcomes were remarkably similar in the 137 patients (45.7%) with confirmed Marfan syndrome and the 163 patients (54.3%) with suspected Marfan syndrome. Freedom from repair failure, however, was significantly better in patients with confirmed Marfan syndrome (90.3% +/- 2.3% at 10 years) than in those with suspected Marfan syndrome (82.0% +/- 3.1% at 10 years; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Operative treatment of the full spectrum of aortic disease in Marfan patients enables excellent long-term survival. Similarities in surgical aspects of aortic disease suggest that patients with features of Marfan syndrome who do not meet diagnostic criteria should be managed in the same manner as patients with confirmed Marfan syndrome.