SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ASCENDING AORTIC-ANEURYSMS ASSOCIATED WITH AORTIC-VALVE INSUFFICIENCY

From 1965 to 1978, 111 patients underwent combined operation for ascending aortic aneurysms and aortic valve insufficiency. Fifteen patients had direct coronary implantation (Group 1). In 25 patients operated on between 1972 and 1977, the aortic root was retained (Group 2). An additional 71 patients operated on between 1965 and 1972 were included (Group 3): 40 who had synthetic graft replacement and retention of the aortic root and 31 who had aortoplasty and associated aortic valve repair. In 8 patients in Group 3, recurrent aneurysms were detected an average of 6.5 years after operation. The mortality rate for repair of the recurrent aneurysms was 57%. Recurrent aneurysm formation constitutes a major complication after incomplete resection of the aortic root. Total exclusion of the aneurysm should be considered. © 1979, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. All rights reserved.