Surgical management of destructive aortic endocarditis: left ventricular outflow reconstruction with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis†.

Objectives: The treatment of complicated aortic endocarditis with periannular abscesses and root disarrangement is a surgical challenge, and includes left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) reconstruction with the patch technique or homograft implantation. The results of a simplified technique to reconstruct the LVOT in destructive endocarditis of either the aortic native valve or valve prosthesis with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve are reported.

Methods: Since August 2007, 40 patients with destructive endocarditis (mean age: 69 ± 12, 75% males, European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II): 19 ± 13, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class: ≥3 in all cases) have undergone LVOT reconstruction with a Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis. Seven patients (17.5%) were in septic or cardiogenic shock preoperatively, and 18 patients (45%) suffered from moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. Eleven patients (27.5%) experienced preoperative systemic embolizations. Thirty-six cases (90%) were valve redos and 9 patients (22.5%) had concomitant procedures. The mean follow-up was 26 ± 25 months.

Results: One patient (2.5%) died early (<30 days) and another 3 patients never discharged died due to multiorgan failure and septic shock. Actuarial survival rate was 85 ± 6% at 1 year, and 76 ± 8% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Twelve patients (30%) required pacemaker implantation because of atrioventricular block and 20 patients (50%) developed or showed a progression of renal failure. One patient (2.5%) had an endocarditis relapse, and 1 (2.5%) showed a mild paraprosthetic aortic leak. No patient needed reoperation. At the last echocardiographic evaluation, mean gradient, peak gradient and left ventricular ejection fraction were 7.9 ± 5.0 mmHg, 15.1 ± 7.2 mmHg and 63.3 ± 9.3%, respectively.

Conclusions: The Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless prosthesis, with the modified technique herein described, seems to be a good option in most of cases of destructive aortic valve endocarditis. It is promptly available in different sizes, easy to implant and, due to its pericardial inflow skirt, ideal for extensive reconstruction of the LVOT with good haemodynamic performance and low risk of relapse.