Aortic root and cusp configuration determine aortic valve function.

Objective: Normalisation of aortic root and cusp configuration is a prerequisite for successful aortic valve repair (AVR). Using transthoracic echocardiography, we studied aortic root dimensions relative to body size in normal subjects and AVR patients.

Methods: Aortic roots of healthy volunteers (n=130, age 27.

Aortic valve reconstruction in myxomatous degeneration of aortic valves: are fenestrations a risk factor for repair failure?

Objective: Aortic valve repair is a more recent approach for the treatment of aortic regurgitation. Limited data exist for reconstruction in specific pathologies with isolated cusp pathology. We analyzed the results of aortic valve repair in patients with aortic regurgitation caused by myxomatous cusp prolapse in the presence of tricuspid valve anatomy and normal root size.

Root replacement using stentless valves in the small aortic root: a propensity score analysis.

Background: Root replacement using a stentless bioprosthesis may be the optimal approach to avoid patient-prosthesis mismatch in patients with a small aortic root. Primary root replacement, however, is considered to be associated with increased surgical risk. We compared early outcome of full root replacement with a stentless bioprosthesis with that of aortic valve replacement with a stented bioprosthesis using propensity score-matching analysis.