Valve Sparing Aortic Root Replacement in the Resternotomy Setting.

Objectives: While valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) has demonstrated satisfactory outcomes, its utility in a reoperative sternotomy setting remains uncertain. This study evaluates the perioperative safety and long-term durability of reoperative sternotomy VSRR.

Methods: All consecutive VSRR at two centers from 2005-2020 were included. Reoperative VSRR was defined as prior sternotomy for any reason. Time-dependent outcomes were compared between groups after balancing of covariates with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Multivariable Cox regression and Fine-Gray sub-distribution hazard model were used to identify factors associated with 10-year survival and aortic valve (AV) reintervention, respectively.

Results: Of 778 VSRR, 69 (8.9%) were reoperative sternotomies. Compared to primary, reoperative VSRR patients were younger (43 [34-54] vs 51 [39-61] years, p<0.001) and had less aortic insufficiency (33.3% vs 48.5%, p=0.02). Cardiopulmonary bypass times were longer in reoperative VSRR with similar rates of circulatory arrest. Reoperative VSRR had a higher incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (10.1% vs 3.2%, p=0.01) and prolonged ventilation (24.6% vs 9.9%, p<0.001); operative mortality was higher in reoperative VSRR (2.9% (2/69) vs 1.4% (10/709)) although not significantly (p=0.66). Ten-year survival was 82.0% [70.0-96.0] and AV reintervention rate was 11.8% [2.3-19.4] after reoperative VSRR. After IPTW adjustment, survival and AV reintervention rates were not different. Reoperative sternotomy was not associated with long-term mortality (p=0.13) or AV reintervention (p=0.77) on multivariable analysis.

Conclusions: Although complex, reoperative sternotomy VSRR can be performed with low operative mortality in carefully selected patients. Ten-year survival and AV reintervention rates were acceptable and comparable to primary VSRR.