Conventional aortic root vs valve-sparing root replacement surgery in aortic dilatation syndromes: a comparison of mortality and postoperative complications

Abstract

Introduction Conventional aortic root and valve-sparing root replacement surgery are two current surgical treatments for aortic dilatation syndromes. This review article aims to review the current literature surrounding these two established techniques.
Areas covered This review article will address the current indications for valve-sparing root replacement surgery, technical considerations in surgical planning and a comparison of clinical outcomes between these two surgical techniques.
Expert opinion Valve-sparing root replacement surgery is a safe and established treatment for aortic syndromes. Valve-sparing surgery procedure avoids the inherent risk of prosthetic valve dysfunction and prosthesis infection by preserving the native aortic valve compared to conventional aortic root surgery. This has been demonstrated in various observational studies and should be considered in clinically and anatomically appropriate patients. Other technical considerations, such as reimplantation versus remodeling technique and aortic cusp repair in select patients, may impact in short-term procedural and long-term clinical success with valve-sparing surgery.

Keywords: Aortopathy, aortic valve surgery, cardiac surgery, valve-sparing root replacement surgery, David procedure, Bentall procedure, Yacoub procedure.