Aortic Valve Surgery in Congenital Heart Disease: A Single-Center Experience

The optimal treatment of congenital aortic valve lesions is a controversial issue. This study was performed to evaluate the outcome after surgical treatment of aortic valve lesions in congenital aortic valve disease. Between the years of 2000 and 2008, 61 patients (mean age: 12.6 +/- 9.6 years, range: 1 day to 40 years) underwent aortic valve surgery for congenital aortic valve disease. Twenty-four patients had undergone previous cardiovascular operations. Indications for surgery were aortic regurgitation in 14.7% (n = 9), aortic stenoses in 26.2% (n = 16), and mixed disease in 59.1% (n = 36). The Ross procedure was performed in 37.7% (n = 23), aortic valve replacement with biological or mechanical prostheses in 29.5% (n = 18). Concomitant procedures were performed in 91.8% (n = 56) due to associated congenital cardiac defects. The overall mortality rate was 5%. Six patients needed reoperation. Implantation of permanent pacemakers occurred in six patients for permanent atrioventricular block. At the latest clinical evaluation, all survivors are in New York Heart Association class I-II and are living normal lives. Aortic valve surgeries in patients with congenital heart disease have had low mortality and morbidity rates in our series. Surgical technique as well as timing should be tailored for each patient. Aortic valve replacement should be delayed until the implantation of an adult-sized prosthesis is possible.