Replacement of the aortic root and ascending aorta using a freestyle valve and woven Dacron graft.

We contrived a surgical technique for the purpose of improving recent results. From April 1998 to June 2001, 24 patients (aged 60 to 81 years, mean age 71.0 +/- 4.8 years; 11 men, 13 women) underwent replacement of the aortic root and the ascending aorta electively using a Freestyle stentless valve with woven Dacron graft at our institution. The aortic root was replaced first, the distal side of the Dacron graft was then anastomosed, and finally, the proximal side was anastomosed with the outflow of the Freestyle valve. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and cardioplegic time were 297 +/- 83 min and 210 +/- 51 min, respectively. The geometry of the ascending aorta and the diameter mismatch between the dilated ascending aorta and the outflow of the Freestyle valve were fully corrected. There were two early deaths and three late deaths; none valve-related. Postoperative aortogram showed an excellent shape. The mortality, morbidity, and clinical events after the procedure were acceptable.