Background: Prevalence of autograft dilatation late after the Ross procedure is increasing. To define feasibility and outcome of autograft valve-sparing root reoperation, a 14-year clinical experience was reviewed.
Methods: One-hundred-twenty-five late survivors after the Ross procedure (7.0±1.9, 0.5–14 years) had cross-sectional clinical and echocardiographic examination. End-points were freedom from autograft dilatation (Ø>4 cm), from root reoperation, from root replacement and functional outcome after valve-sparing reoperation.
Results: Autograft dilatation was found in 33 (26%) patients (freedom of 46±12% at 14 years):12 (10%) patients had aortic aneurysm (>5.0 cm). Age at Ross was 22.6±8.8 years, diagnosis was AI in 9, AS in 1, mixed in 2; 10 had bicuspid aortic valve and 3 prior cardiac operations. All, but one (cylinder inclusion), had undergone root technique. Risk factors for root reoperation were younger age (p=0.04), prior operation (p=0.01), root technique (p=0.001). Nine of 12 had reoperation for aneurysm at 7.8±1.8 years after the Ross procedure, 3 are scheduled. During this study, 2 additional patients underwent root reoperation 12.6 years after Ross procedure done abroad. Two patients had root replacement and 9 (82%) remodelling with autograft-valve preservation (7 Yacoub, 2 sinotubular junction/ascending aorta): all survived. Severe AI, but not root diameter, was associated with failure to preserve the valve (p=0.015). Fourteen-year freedom from root reoperation was 80±8% and from full root replacement 96±3%. Up to 6 years (mean 3.1±1.5) after reoperation, all pts are in NYHA class I and medication-free: 8/9 patients have mild AI or less, while 1 required valve replacement 51 months after remodeling. One patient carried out an uncomplicated pregnancy 3 years after Ross-Yacoub operation.
Conclusions: Root reoperation with pulmonary valve preservation is feasible in most patients with autograft aneurysm, allowing for maintenance of normal quality of life. Referral of patients with dilated root for surgery prior to onset of severe valve insufficiency increases likelihood of pulmonary valve-sparing. Mid-term functional behaviour of remodelled autograft roots is rewarding, however continued observation is warranted.
Infective Endocarditis 2 Decades After Pulmonary Autograft Ross Procedure
