Aortic root reoperations after pulmonary autograft implantation

ObjectiveTo report the results of aortic root reoperations after pulmonary autograft implantation.MethodsAll consecutive patients in our prospective Ross research database were selected for analysis, and additional information for patients requiring reoperation was obtained from the hospital records.ResultsFrom 1988 to 2009, 155 pulmonary autograft operations were performed. During this period, 41 patients required reoperation for aortic root dilatation and/or autograft valve insufficiency, in 8 patients combined with pulmonary allograft dysfunction. The freedom from autograft reoperation rate was 86% (standard error, 3.3%) after 10 years and 52% (standard error, 6.6%) after 15 years. The median interval to reoperation was 15.3 years. During reoperation, 39 patients underwent aortic root replacement (mechanical conduit, 31; stentless root, 2; allograft, 3; and valve sparing, 3), and 2 patients underwent valve replacement. In 8 patients this was combined with pulmonary allograft replacement. The technical difficulties encountered included bleeding at the sternal re-entry in 5 patients. No 30-day mortality occurred. The postoperative complications included reexploration for persistent blood loss in 3 patients and cerebrovascular accident in 3 patients. Two patients died during the follow-up period. The survival rate after reoperation was 94% (standard error, 4.1%) at 5 years.ConclusionsAn increasing number of patients requires reoperation after pulmonary autograft implantation. These reoperations can be done with very low mortality and morbidity and excellent follow-up results.