Long-term results of neomedia sinus valsalva repair in 489 patients with type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND

Acute type A aortic dissection frequently occurs in patients with normally sized aortic roots. The aim of this investigation was to describe the durability of aortic valve resuspension and root repair with a novel technique of reconstruction in type A dissection.

METHODS

From 1993 to 2013, among 629 patients operated on for acute type A dissection 489 (62% male, median age 62 years (53; 73) underwent aortic valve resuspension and reinforcement of the sinus of Valsalva with a Teflon felt neomedia. The median follow-up time was 4.1 years (1.3; 6.8) (2075 patient-years).

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality was 11% (56/489). Survival was 69%±2%, 50%±3%, and 36%±5% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Freedom from moderate or severe aortic regurgitation was not influenced by the aortic regurgitation grade at the initial operation (p=0.131). Freedom from proximal aortic reoperation was 96%±1%, 92%±2%, and 89%±4% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Seventeen patients (3%) required proximal reoperation: 10 for aortic regurgitation, including 3 with concomitant pseudoaneurysm and 2 with root aneurysm; 6 for pseudoaneurysm; and 1 for graft infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic root neomedia reconstruction and valve resuspension can be successfully performed in the majority of patients with type A dissection. The in-hospital mortality is low, and the results are durable.