BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: A recently developed technique of aortic annuloplasty, together with immediate postoperative results, are described. METHODS: Between June 1998 and October 2000, 26 patients (22 men, four women; mean age 59 years) with chronic dominant aortic regurgitation (AR) underwent aortic valve repair in which subvalvular circular annuloplasty was used. A concomitant repair technique was performed in all patients. Operative results are summarized, along with perioperative changes in NYHA status and echocardiographic findings. RESULTS: There were no hospital deaths. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 139.0+/-32.8 min, and mean aortic cross-clamp time 106.0+/-33.2 min. Mean postoperative NYHA class at one month postoperatively was 1.0. Mean postoperative AR grade at hospital discharge was 0.9+/-0.7, which represented an improvement over preoperative grade (p <0.0001). LVEDD was reduced from 6.3+/-0.9 cm to 5.1+/-1.1 cm (n = 25; p <0.001), and LVEF from 64.3+/-9.2% to 51.9+/-11.0% (n = 26; p <0.0001). Annulus size was reduced from 2.6+/-0.3 cm to 2.2+/-0.2 cm (n = 18; p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: A new technique of aortic annuloplasty as a component of aortic valve repair was developed and used successfully in 26 consecutive patients. The short-term postoperative outcome was satisfactory.
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: A recently developed technique of aortic annuloplasty, together with immediate postoperative results, are described. METHODS: Between June 1998 and October 2000, 26 patients (22 men, four women; mean age 59 years) with chronic dominant aortic regurgitation (AR) underwent aortic valve repair in which subvalvular circular annuloplasty was used. A concomitant repair technique was performed in all patients. Operative results are summarized, along with perioperative changes in NYHA status and echocardiographic findings. RESULTS: There were no hospital deaths. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 139.0+/-32.8 min, and mean aortic cross-clamp time 106.0+/-33.2 min. Mean postoperative NYHA class at one month postoperatively was 1.0. Mean postoperative AR grade at hospital discharge was 0.9+/-0.7, which represented an improvement over preoperative grade (p <0.0001). LVEDD was reduced from 6.3+/-0.9 cm to 5.1+/-1.1 cm (n = 25; p <0.001), and LVEF from 64.3+/-9.2% to 51.9+/-11.0% (n = 26; p <0.0001). Annulus size was reduced from 2.6+/-0.3 cm to 2.2+/-0.2 cm (n = 18; p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: A new technique of aortic annuloplasty as a component of aortic valve repair was developed and used successfully in 26 consecutive patients. The short-term postoperative outcome was satisfactory.