Long-term results with total replacement of the ascending aorta and reimplantation of the coronary arteries.

From November, 1976, to June, 1983, 100 patients, 84 male and 16 female patients ranging in age from 13 to 74 years, were operated on for aortic insufficiency associated with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Twenty patients were in New York Heart Association Class I, 22 in Class II, 51 in Class III, and seven in Class IV. The surgical treatment in all cases consisted of total replacement of the ascending aorta with a tube graft containing a prosthetic aortic valve and reimplantation of the coronary arteries by an intermediate tube graft according to the technique already reported. In 68 patients an uncomplicated annulo-aortic ectasia existed, and in 32, an aortic dissection; nine of the latter group were operated on during the acute phase. The operative mortality for the entire group was 4% (four deaths). One patient has been lost to follow-up during a period ranging from 18 months to 8 years (average 54 months). The late mortality has been 11/96. Among the 84 survivors, clinical improvement is readily apparent (89% are in Class I or II). Twenty-five patients have been restudied by angiography, which revealed a satisfactory coronary and aortic appearance in all cases with neither stenosis nor aneurysm. The actuarial survival rate is 75% at 8 years. In conclusion, the treatment of aortic insufficiency associated with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta by insertion of a composite graft and reimplantation of the coronary arteries through an intermediate Dacron tube is a reliable method with low mortality and excellent long-term results.

[Isthmic coarctation of the aorta: characteristics and results of surgical treatment in subjects surgically-treated after 35 years of age]. / Coarctation isthmique de l'aorte: particularités et résultats du traitement chirurgical chez les sujets opérés au-delà de 35 ans.

From 1965 to 1981, 27 patients over 35 years of age were operated for isthmic coarctation of the aorta. Surgery consisted of resection and direct suture in 16 cases, implantation of a Dacron prosthesis in 7 cases, isthmoplasty in 1 case, aortotomy-graft in 1 case, insertion of a Dacron tube between the left subclavian artery and the descending thoracic aorta in 1 case; finally, one patient presented with a rare form of coarctation in a double aortic arch and was treated by a bypass from the brachiocephalic trunk to the descending thoracic aorta. Ten patients had associated pathology. This was treated at the same time in 4 cases: closed heart mitral commissurotomy, cardiac plexectomy, section-suture of patent ductus arteriosus, and a resection of aneurysms of four intercostal arteries. A Bjork aortic valve prosthesis had been inserted nine months previously in a women with calcific aortic stenosis. There were 2 deaths (7,4%) in the immediate postoperative woman with calcific aortic stenosis. There were 2 deaths (7,4%) in the immediate postoperative period (one acute pulmonary oedema, one pulmonary embolism). There has been no operative mortality in the last 10 years. Twenty-three of the 25 survivors have been followed-up for an average period of 91,5 months (range 1 to 18 years). Two patients died of cardiovascular causes. Analysis of these results show: that the mortality rate is not prohibitive compared to that of the natural history of the condition (the average survival rate of unoperated patients is 35 years), good secondary results despite frequent technical difficulties, the possibility of residual hypertension (especially in older patients) which responds well to drug therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Intra-atrial implantation of the mitral valve]. / Implantation intra-atriale de la valve mitrale.

Infectious lesions of the mitral ring sometimes cause so much damage that insertion of the prosthesis in its normal place is impossible. In such cases, artificial valves with a dacron flange can be implanted into the left atrium, just above the mitral ring, and sutured to the atrial wall. These valves are generally used in first or second reoperations for recurrent desinsertion, but they have proved so reliable that their use can be extended to primary mitral valve replacement in cases where extreme calcification of the mitral ring throws considerable doubt on the success of conventional techniques.