Survival and freedom from aortic valve-related reoperation after valve-sparing aortic root replacement in 1015 patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize mortality and aortic valve replacement after valve-sparing aortic root replacement (V-SARR) in a multicentre cohort.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2014, 1015 patients had V-SARR with (n = 288, 28%) or without cusp/commissure repair (n = 727, 72%) at the centres of Lübeck (n = 343, 34%), Stuttgart (n = 346, 34%), Hamburg (n = 109, 11%) and Freiburg (n = 217, 21%), Germany. Comparative survival of an age- and gender-matched general population was calculated.

Residual and Progressive Aortic Regurgitation After Valve-Sparing Root Replacement: A Propensity-Matched Multi-Institutional Analysis in 764 Patients.

Background: Residual/progressive aortic regurgitation (rAR, pAR) after valve-sparing aortic root replacement (V-SARR) can lead to reoperations. We sought to characterize risk factors of mild rAR and pAR after V-SARR in a multicenter cohort. The effect of additional cusp repair on valve function was analyzed using propensity matching.

Aortic valve/root procedures in patients with an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery and a bicuspid aortic valve: anatomical and technical implications.

An anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery that arises as a side branch of the right coronary artery from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva encircling the aortic annulus is usually an incidental finding. However, in patients undergoing aortic valve procedures, its existence can significantly complicate the surgical treatment. We report our operative strategy in patients with an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery, a bicuspid aortic valve morphology and different aortic valve pathologies.

The David procedure for salvage of a failing autograft after the Ross operation.

Background: Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft is a major fear after the Ross procedure. We analyzed the results after reoperation for autograft dysfunction using a valve-sparing reimplantation technique (David procedure).

Methods: From 1995 to 2012, 645 Ross operations were performed, with 630 (98%) of these as freestanding root replacements (mean follow-up, 8.

The David procedure in different valve pathologies: a single-center experience in 236 patients.

Background: Reports of the long-term outcome after the David procedure in different valve pathologies are limited. We compared our results in patients with tricuspid and bicuspid aortic valves, including those who required additional cusp repair.

Methods: Between 1997 and 2011, 236 patients (76% males; mean age, 56 ± 15; range, 12 to 79 years) underwent valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure) for aortic regurgitation and were prospectively followed up clinically and echocardiographically.

Approaching a paradigm shift: endoscopic ablation of lone atrial fibrillation on the beating heart.

Background: Percutaneous catheter ablation has been the preferred treatment strategy for many patients with symptomatic drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). However, incomplete ablation lines and varying success rates remain a problem in certain subgroups. This article evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopically performed left atrial ablation in patients with lone AF.