Project description:ObjectivesWe aimed to assess the procedural and clinical results of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for nonraphe bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS) with coronary vs mixed cusp fusion.BackgroundIt remains unclear whether cusp fusion morphology affects TAVR outcomes in patients with nonraphe bicuspid AS.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with severe symptomatic AS and type-0 bicuspid aortic valve, who underwent TAVR at our institution between 2012 and 2017. TAVR outcomes were defined based on the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 recommendations.ResultsCompared to patients with mixed cusp fusion (44/71), those with coronary cusp fusion (27/71) had a larger ellipticity index for the aortic annulus (21.9% ± 9.0% vs 15.6% ± 9.3%, p=0.007) and increased left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (31.1% ± 9.4% vs 26.9% ± 7.5%, p=0.04) but comparable rates of second valve implantation (15.9% vs 14.8%), mild paravalvular leakage (PVL, 38.5% vs 30.2%), permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM, 25.9% vs 15.9%), and 30-day mortality (7.4% vs 6.8%). Use of a first-generation transcatheter heart valve was associated with higher risk for mild PVL (odds ratio (OR) = 4.37; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.14-16.75; p=0.03) but not PPM (OR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.22-2.62; p=0.67), whereas a larger oversizing ratio tended to be associated with a higher PPM rate (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 0.46-4.86; p=0.51) but lower incidence of mild PVL (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.19-1.35; p=0.17).ConclusionsIn AS patients with type-0 bicuspid valves, cusp fusion morphology does not affect the procedural or clinical results of TAVR. Use of second-generation transcatheter heart valves may provide more favorable results in such patients. This trial is registered with NCT01683474.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Aortic 3-dimensional blood flow was analyzed to investigate altered ascending aorta (AAo) hemodynamics in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients and its association with differences in cusp fusion patterns (right-left, RL versus right-noncoronary, RN) and expression of aortopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS:Four-dimensional flow MRI measured in vivo 3-dimensional blood flow in the aorta of 75 subjects: BAV patients with aortic dilatation stratified by leaflet fusion pattern (n=15 RL-BAV, mid AAo diameter=39.9±4.4 mm; n=15 RN-BAV, 39.6±7.2 mm); aorta size controls with tricuspid aortic valves (n=30, 41.0±4.4 mm); healthy volunteers (n=15, 24.9±3.0 mm). Aortopathy type (0-3), systolic flow angle, flow displacement, and regional wall shear stress were determined for all subjects. Eccentric outflow jet patterns in BAV patients resulted in elevated regional wall shear stress (P<0.0125) at the right-anterior walls for RL-BAV and right-posterior walls for RN-BAV in comparison with aorta size controls. Dilatation of the aortic root only (type 1) or involving the entire AAo and arch (type 3) was found in the majority of RN-BAV patients (87%) but was mostly absent for RL-BAV patients (87% type 2). Differences in aortopathy type between RL-BAV and RN-BAV patients were associated with altered flow displacement in the proximal and mid AAo for type 1 (42%-81% decrease versus type 2) and distal AAo for type 3 (33%-39% increase versus type 2). CONCLUSIONS:The presence and type of BAV fusion was associated with changes in regional wall shear stress distribution, systolic flow eccentricity, and expression of BAV aortopathy. Hemodynamic markers suggest a physiological mechanism by which the valve morphology phenotype can influence phenotypes of BAV aortopathy.
Project description:Based on the natural mathematical relationships between the components of the human tri-leaflet aortic valve, new calibrated cusp sizers were developed in order to facilitate aortic valve assessment in the operating room and enhance the chance for a perfect restoration of aortic valve competence. These sizers were used clinically to guide the implementation of established aortic valve repair techniques in 10 consecutive patients with severe aortic valve regurgitation. Valve repair was successful in all cases, and at a median follow-up was 5.5 months, aortic valve function remained stable, with aortic regurgitation ?1+ in every patient and no significant gradient across the aortic valves. This preliminary clinical experience indicates that the calibrated cusp sizers can provide reliable insight into the mechanism of aortic valve insufficiency, and can guide aortic valve repair techniques successfully. We hope that the simplicity and reproducibility of this method would assist in its dissemination and further increase the percentage of aortic valves that are repaired when compared with current practice.
Project description:Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common adult congenital heart defect and is found in 0.5% to 2.0% of the general population. The term "BAV" refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by diverse aortic valve malformations with associated aortopathy, congenital heart defects, and genetic syndromes. Even after decades of investigation, the genetic determinants of BAV and its complications remain largely undefined. Just as BAV phenotypes are highly variable, the genetic etiologies of BAV are equally diverse and vary from complex inheritance in families to sporadic cases without any evidence of inheritance. In this paper, the authors discuss current concepts in BAV genetics and propose a roadmap for unraveling unanswered questions about BAV through the integrated analysis of genetic and clinical data.
Project description:Although it is attractive, a limitation of aortic valve (AV) replacement (AVR) through a mini-thoracotomy approach (mini-AVR) is the limited exposure of the AV. Here, we present a simple exposure technique named "suspending commissural sutures" for a more efficient mini-AVR. The technique involves making 3 half-depth stitches with 1-0 silk at each of the commissures, which are anchored to each corresponding pericardial surface. These stitches are tightened up so that the aortic root is axially expanded and is pulled upward. The technique of suspending commissural stitches seems to offer reasonable exposure of the AV in mini-AVR, and shows excellent early surgical outcomes.
Project description:ObjectivesGeometric ring annuloplasty has shown promise during bicuspid aortic valve repair for aortic insufficiency. This study examined early outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve repair associated with proximal aortic aneurysm replacement.MethodsFrom September 2017 to November, 2021, 127 patients underwent bicuspid aortic valve repair with concomitant proximal aneurysm reconstruction. Patient age was 50.6 ± 12.7 years (mean ± standard deviation), male gender was 83%, New York Heart Association Class was 2 (1-2) (median [interquartile range]), and preoperative aortic insufficiency grade was 3 (2-4). Ascending aortic diameter was 50 (46-54) mm, and all patients had ascending aortic replacement. Forty patients had sinus diameters greater than 45 mm, prompting remodeling root procedures. A total of 105 patients had Sievers type 1 valves, 3 patients had type 0, and 7 patients had type 2. A total of 118 patients had primarily right/left fusion, 8 patients had right/nonfusion, and 1 patient had left/nonfusion. Leaflet reconstruction used central leaflet plication and cleft closure, with limited ultrasonic decalcification in 31 patients.ResultsRing size was 23 (21-23) mm, and 26 of 40 root procedures were selective nonfused sinus replacements. Aortic clamp time was 139 (112-170) minutes, and bypass time was 178 (138-217) minutes. Postrepair aortic insufficiency grade was 0 (0-0) (P < .0001), and mean valve gradient was 10 (7-14) mm Hg. No early and 1 late mortality occurred. Four patients required reoperation for bleeding, and 4 patients required pacemakers. At a mean follow-up of 20 months (maximal 93), there were no valve-related complications, 5 late repair failures prompting valve replacement, and 1 death due to Coronavirus Disease 2019.ConclusionsGeometric ring annuloplasty for bicuspid aortic valve repair with proximal aortic aneurysm reconstruction is safe and associated with good early outcomes. Further experience and follow-up will help inform long-term durability.