Impact of surgical aortic root enlargement on the outcomes of aortic valve replacement: a meta-analysis of 13 174 patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the impact of surgical aortic root enlargement (ARE) on the perioperative outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR).

METHODS

Databases were searched for studies published until April 2018 to carry out a systematic review followed by meta-analysis of results.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1468 studies for inclusion. Of these, 10 articles were analysed and their data extracted. A total of 13 174 patients (AVR with ARE: 2819 patients; AVR without ARE: 10 355 patients) were included from studies published from 2002 to 2018. The total rate of ARE was 21.4%, varying in the studies from 5.7% to 26.3%. The overall odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for perioperative mortality showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (among 10 studies), with a higher risk in the 'AVR with ARE' group (OR 1.506, 95% CI 1.209-1.875; P < 0.001), but not when adjusted for isolated AVR + ARE without any concomitant procedures such as mitral valve surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, etc. (OR 1.625, 95% CI 0.968-2.726; P = 0.066-among 6 studies). The 'AVR with ARE' group showed an overall lower risk of significant patient-prosthesis mismatch among 9 studies (OR 0.472, 95% CI 0.295-0.756; P = 0.002) and a higher overall difference in means of indexed effective orifice area among 10 studies (random-effect model: 0.06 cm2/m2, 95% CI 0.029-0.103; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical ARE seems to be associated with increased perioperative mortality but with lower risk of patient-prosthesis mismatch.