Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the longer-term results
of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) repair with or without aortic root
replacement. Methods From 1999 to 2017, 142 patients with or without
aortic root dilatation who underwent repair of a regurgitant BAV were
included in the study. Ninety-four patients underwent isolated BAV
repair (Group 1; mean age 45±14 years) and 48 patients underwent
valve-sparing aortic root replacement plus BAV repair (aortic valve
reimplantation – Group 2; mean age 49±13 years. Median follow-up time
was 5.9 years (range 0.5-15) in Group 1 and 3 years (range 0.5-16) in
Group 2, respectively. Results In-hospital mortality was 1% in group 1,
and 2% in Group 2 (p=0.6). The 5- and 10-year survival was 93±2.9% and
81±5.8% in Group 1 and 96±3.1% and 96±3.1% in Group 2, respectively
(p=0.31). Eleven patients of Group 1 (1.7% /patient-year) and 5
patients of Group 2 (2.2%/patient-year) underwent reoperation of the
aortic valve (p=0.5). The 5- and 10-year freedom from reoperation were
93.0±2.1% and 77.1±7.1% in Group 1 and 93.0±5.0% and 76.7±9.6% in
Group 2 (p=0.83), respectively. At latest follow-up only 2 patients of
Group 1 and 1 patient of Group 2 had AR=2° (p=0.7). The cumulative
linearized incidence of all valve-related complications (bleeding,
stroke, endocarditis, reoperation) was 2.9%/patient-year in Group 1 and
4%/patient-year in Group 2, respectively (p=0.6). Conclusions Isolated
BAV repair and combined aortic valve reimplantation plus BAV repair
provide good clinical longer-term outcomes with relatively low
reoperation rate and durable valve function.