Early and midterm hemodynamics after aortic valve bypass (apicoaortic conduit) surgery.

Background: Aortic valve bypass (AVB [apicoaortic conduit]) relieves aortic stenosis (AS) by connecting the apex of the left ventricle to the descending thoracic aorta with a valved conduit. AVB is performed through a small left thoracotomy, without cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping, cardiac arrest, or debridement of the native aortic valve. Little is known about hemodynamics, including ventricular performance, relative conduit blood flow, and progression of native AS after AVB.