Aortic root remodeling with aortic annuloplasty - Mid-term results

Background A retrospective study was performed to determine the appropriateness of aortic root remodeling with aortic annuloplasty (m-Yacoub operation). Methods and Results A group of 60 patients with aortic valve disease with concomitant dilated or dissected ascending aorta, who underwent surgery between 1997 and 2003, were evaluated. Nineteen patients whose aortic valves were well preserved (mean age: 57.8 +/- 13.2 years) underwent the m-Yacoub operation with or without aortic valve leaflet suspension. The average follow-up period was 34.5 +/- 19.0 months. There were no operative or hospital deaths. Preoperatively, 16 patients had grade 4 aortic regurgitation (AR), 2 had grade 3 AR, and 1 had grade 1 AR. At the latest follow-up, 1 patient had grade 2 AR, 11 had grade 1, and 7 had grade 0. At 5-year follow-up the survival rate was 100 +/- 0.0%, and the reoperation-free rate was 82.5 +/- 11.3%. Conclusion Where it is possible to preserve the aortic valve, the m-Yacoub operation is an attractive option.