A Cardiologist's Clinical Dilemma: An Incidental Finding of a Potentially High-Risk Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Origin.

Coronary artery anomalies may place patients at risk for various adverse events. We present a case of a 62-year-old male with a two-year history of intermittent chest pain. A computed tomography coronary angiogram revealed a rare finding of an anomalous right coronary artery (ARCA) originating from the left ascending aorta, with high-risk features. This case highlights the complexities in diagnosing and managing ARCA, underscoring the importance of individualized care and careful consideration of invasive intervention risks versus potential benefits.

Minimally Invasive Approach for Replacement of the Ascending Aorta towards the Proximal Aortic Arch.

Objectives: In recent years, minimally invasive approaches have been used with increasing frequency, even for more complex aortic procedures. However, evidence on the practicability and safety of expanding minimally invasive techniques from isolated operations of the ascending aorta towards more complex operations such as the hemiarch replacement is still scarce to date. Methods: A total of 86 patients undergoing elective surgical replacement of the ascending aorta with (n = 40) or without (n = 46) concomitant proximal aortic arch replacement between 2009 and 2023 were analyzed in a retrospective single-center analysis. Groups were compared regarding operation times, intra- and postoperative complications and long-term survival. Results: Operation times and ventilation times were significantly longer in the hemiarch replacement group. Despite this, no statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed for the duration of the ICU and hospital stay and postoperative complication rates. At ten-year follow-up, overall survival was 82.6% after isolated ascending aorta replacement and 86.3% after hemiarch replacement (p = 0.441). Conclusions: Expanding the indication for minimally invasive aortic surgery towards the proximal aortic arch resulted in comparable postoperative complication rates, length of hospital stay and overall long-term survival compared to the well-established minimally invasive isolated supracommissural ascending aorta replacement.

Less invasive replacement of aortic root, ascending aorta and hemiarch via partial upper sternotomy: a propensity-score matched comparison with full sternotomy.

OBJECTIVES: Less invasive surgery has emerged as an option for aortic pathologies. The current study compared our experience on early postoperative results of patients with aortic surgery between partial upper sternotomy (PUS) and full sternotomy (FS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of patients undergoing aortic root surgery with concomitant ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement. Exclusion criteria were type A aortic dissection and other concomitant major cardiac surgery. After propensity-score matching, we compared the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery with PUS vs FS. RESULTS: 161 patients operated on between January 2013 and September 2022 met the inclusion criteria (PUS: n = 22, FS: n = 139). Propensity score matching yielded 22 pairs with a balanced distribution of propensity scores and covariates between the compared groups. There was no evidence that PUS affects cardiopulmonary bypass [108(67-119) vs 113(87-148) min, p = 0.154; PUS vs FS] and circulatory arrest duration [9(7-10) vs 9(8-13) min, p = 0.264; PUS vs FS]. There was a reduced cross-clamp duration in the PUS group [88(58-96) vs 92(71-122) min, p = 0.032]. Cumulative sum charts (CUSUM) have shown consistently low cross-clamp and circulatory arrest duration for two experienced surgeons who performed 20 of the procedures in the PUS group (10 each). Perioperative mortality and morbidity were low, with no in-hospital mortality in the PUS group [0 vs 1(4.5%), p > 0.999] and absence of strokes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our initial experience suggests that less invasive aortic root, ascending aorta, and hemiarch replacement via partial upper sternotomy could be performed in our patient cohort as safely as via full sternotomy. Advantages for the patient are reduced surgical trauma, improved cosmetic results, and-presumably-less pain.

A rare case of a simultaneous post-dissection saccular aneurysm of the ascending aorta and large pulmonary artery aneurysm with secondary embolism: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the pulmonary arteries and the ascending aorta are rare, and both bear a high mortality risk if left untreated. In general, these entities are primarily caused by etiologies such as hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, infection or congenital disorders. Treatment requires a rapid diagnostic work-up or even immediate surgical intervention in acute cases. Nevertheless, surgery entails serious perioperative risks, in particular in patients with multiple comorbidities. CASE PRESENTATION: We discuss a 70-year-old woman presented with decompensated heart failure based on severe pulmonary artery hypertension, coincided by a massive pulmonary artery aneurysm with secondary embolism. Additional diagnostic imaging also showed a chronic post-dissection, saccular aneurysm of the ascending aorta. To our knowledge, this simultaneous diagnosis of a saccular aneurysm of the ascending aorta and a large aneurysm of the pulmonary artery with secondary embolism has not yet been described. Nonetheless, conservative treatment was chosen due to extensive pulmonal and cardiovascular comorbidities and the high-risk profile of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive aneurysmatic disease of the pulmonary arteries and ascending aorta come with a serious burden of disease, especially if coincided by severe pulmonal and cardiovascular comorbidities. Both conditions can be curatively treated by surgical intervention. However, in every case the risk of surgery and the patient's vitality, comorbidities and wishes should be taken into account to formulate an adequate treatment plan. Therefore, shared decision making is of utter importance.

Periaortic Graft Infection Following Supracoronary Ascending Aorta Replacement: A Case Report.

Periaortic graft infections are a dangerous and extremely rare subtype of aortic graft infections (AGI). We hereby report a unique case of periaortic graft abscess in a 46-year-old male four months following a supracoronary ascending aorta replacement for DeBakey Type 2 dissection, resulting in the successful preservation of the original graft.

Long-term outcomes in patients with bicuspid valve stenosis and aortic dilation undergoing transcatheter valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: To date, whether ascending aorta dilation (AAD) should be considered a contraindication for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains a topic of debate.. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the clinical outcome of TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (BAV-AS) complicated by AAD. METHODS: We included patients with BAV-AS who underwent TAVR between 2012 and 2019. We collected patient perioperative clinical data., tracked clinical outcomes for over four years post-TAVR, and obtained echocardiography images one year postoperatively. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed for analyzing both unadjusted and adjusted survival data, which was compared using the log-rank test. COX regression and nomograms were used to assess the impact of AAD on post-TAVR clinical outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), with all-cause mortality as the primary clinical endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 111 BAV patients were included in this study. Long-term follow-up showed an increased mortality risk in patients with BAV-AAD (adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis: P = .02/0.001). Cox correlation analysis indicated that age (OR = 1.137; P = .034), AAD (OR = 3.51; P = .038), and postoperative left ventricular pressure (LVSP) (OR: 0.959; P = .044) were predictive factors for mortality more than four years after TAVR in patients with BAV. The area under the curve of the Nomogram predicting long-term survival for the training set of patients based on the above metrics was 0.845 (95% CI: 0.696-0.994). Short-term cardiac ultrasound follow-up showed a more rapid rate of AA expansion (0.29 [0-0.34] vs. -1 [-3.3-1] mm/month, P = .001) and a smaller proportion of AA diameter reduction (7.1% vs. 53.7%, P = .001) in patients who died. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BAV-AAD-AS treated with TAVR have an increased risk of long-term mortality, and clinical prediction models, including AAD age and postoperative LVSP, may predict long-term patient survival. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: The study investigated the clinical outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (BAV-AS) complicated by ascending aorta dilation (AAD). Patients with BAV-AAD-AS treated with TAVR have an increased risk of long-term mortality. AAD, age and postoperative LVSP, may predict long-term patient survival. Short-term cardiac ultrasound follow-up showed a more rapid rate of AA expansion and a smaller proportion of AA diameter reduction in patients who died. A high postoperative AAD expansion rate may indicate an adverse clinical outcome. Surgery regimens for tolerable BAV-AADs and can be considered as a treatment option.

Assessment of aortic dilatation in Chinese children and adolescents with Turner syndrome: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) face an increased risk of developing aortic dilatation (AD), but diagnosing AD in children presents greater complexity compared to adults. This study aimed to investigate the application of various assessment indicators of AD in Chinese children and adolescents with TS. METHODS: This study included TS patients admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital from 2017 to 2022. Cardiovascular lesions were diagnosed by experienced radiologists. Patients without structural heart disease were divided into different body surface area groups, then the Chinese TS population Z-score (CHTSZ-score) of the ascending aorta was calculated and compared with other indicators such as aortic size index (ASI), ratio of the ascending to descending aortic diameter (A/D ratio), and TSZ-score (Quezada's method). RESULTS: A total of 115 TS patients were included, with an average age of 10.0 ± 3.7 years. The incidences of the three most serious cardiovascular complications were 9.6% (AD), 10.4% (coarctation of the aorta, CoA), and 7.0% (bicuspid aortic valve, BAV), respectively. The proportion of developing AD in TS patients aged ≥ 10 years was higher than that in those < 10 years old (16.6% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.009), and the proportion of patients with CoA or BAV who additionally exhibited AD was higher than those without these conditions (31.6% vs. 5.2%, P < 0.001). The ASI, A/D ratio, TSZ-score, and CHTSZ-score of the 11 patients with AD were 2.27 ± 0.40 cm/m2, 1.90 ± 0.37, 1.28 ± 1.08, and 3.07 ± 2.20, respectively. Among the AD patients, only 3 cases had a TSZ-score ≥ 2, and 2 cases had a TSZ-score ≥ 1. However, based on the assessment using the CHTSZ-score, 6 patients scored ≥ 2, and 5 patients scored ≥ 1. In contrast, the TSZ-score generally underestimated the aortic Z-scores in Chinese children with TS compared to the CHTSZ-score. CONCLUSIONS: The applicability of ASI and A/D ratio to children with TS is questionable, and racial differences can affect the assessment of TSZ-score in the Chinese population. Therefore, establishing the CHTSZ-score specifically tailored for Chinese children and adolescents is of paramount importance.

Repaired coarctation of the aorta does not affect four-dimensional flow metrics in bicuspid aortic valve disease.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was primarily to compare four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging metrics in the ascending aorta (AA) of patients with right-left fusion type bicuspid aortic valve (RL-BAV) and repaired coarctation of the aorta (CoA) to RL-BAV without CoA. Metrics of patients with RL-BAV were also compared to the matched group of patients with common tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). METHODS: Eleven patients with RL-BAV and CoA, 11 patients with RL-BAV without CoA and 22 controls with TAV were investigated. Peak velocity (cm/s), peak flow (ml/s) and flow displacement (%) were analysed at 5 pre-defined AA levels. In addition, regional wall shear stress (WSS, mN/m2), circumferential WSS (WSSc) and axial WSS (WSSa) at all levels were quantified in 6 sectors of the aortic circle. Averaged WSS values on each level (WSSavg, WSSc, avg and WSSa, avg) were calculated as well. RESULTS: Peak velocity at the proximal tubular AA was significantly lower in BAV and CoA group (P = 0.047) compared to BAV without CoA. In addition, the WSSa, avg was found to be higher for the BAV and CoA group at proximal AA respectively (P = 0.040). No other significant differences were found between these groups. BAV group's peak velocity was higher at every level (P < 0.001-0.004) compared to TAV group. Flow displacement was significantly higher for the BAV group at every level (P < 0.001) besides at the most distal level. All averaged WSS values were significantly higher in BAV patients in distal AA (P < 0.001-0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Repaired CoA does not relevantly alter four-dimensional flow metrics in the AA of patients with RL-BAV. However, RL-BAV majorly alters flow dynamics in the AA when compared to patients with TAV. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05065996, Unique Protocol ID 5063566.

Clarifying the Anatomy of Tetralogy of Fallot with S-shaped Ascending Aorta.

We recently encountered several cases of tetralogy of Fallot with an abnormally oriented S-shaped ascending aorta. In this retrospective study, we sought to clarify morphology of this unusual under-recognized variant. Databases were reviewed to identify all patients with tetralogy of Fallot having an S-shaped ascending aorta. Computed tomographic angiography was used for the assessment of cardiac morphology. Out of the 21 patients, 18 (86%) had a right aortic arch, 2 (9%) had a left aortic arch, and the remaining patient (5%) had a double aortic arch. Patients with a right aortic arch, compared to age and sex-matched patients with a right aortic arch but normally oriented ascending aorta, had lesser aortic override (29.3 ± 14% vs 54.8 ± 13.2%; p = 0.0001) and a wider ascending aorta (25.2 ± 6.9 vs 18.0 ± 3.2 mm; p = 0.0003). The S-shaped ascending aorta was located posteriorly, with a higher sterno-aortic distance (25.5 ± 7.7 vs 9.9 ± 4.5 mm; p = 0.0001). The ascending aorta among patients with tortuosity was longer (4.12 ± 1.7 vs 3.07 ± 0.82, p = 0.03) but with similar tortuosity index (1.22 ± 0.19 vs 1.15 ± 0.17, p = 0.23). Of the cases with right aortic arch and S-shaped ascending aorta, 16 (89%) had extrinsic compression of the right pulmonary artery (p = 0.0001), while 7 (39%) had crossed pulmonary arteries (p = 0.008), with no such findings among those with normally oriented ascending aorta. Tetralogy of Fallot with an S-shaped ascending aorta is a variant with lesser aortic override and a more posteriorly located ascending aorta. Compression of the right pulmonary artery and crossed pulmonary arteries is frequent in the presence of a right-sided aortic arch. These findings have important implications for optimal diagnosis and surgical repair.

A complication of an axillary intra-aortic balloon pump.

Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) are used to mechanically temporize a failing heart by decreasing afterload while increasing coronary perfusion pressure of the heart while more definitive treatment is sought. We report a case of a 65-year-old male with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, thyroiditis, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma who presented with worsening heart failure. He underwent a percutaneous placement of a left axillary IABP with seemingly no complications. Approximately 3 weeks post-placement, the patient was taken for a heart transplant when an intraoperative transesophageal echo showed that the IABP was in the aortic arch and ascending aorta, instead of its proper placement in the descending aorta. The patient's arterial line showed waveforms appropriate for an IABP patient, and the patient showed no signs indicative of improper placement. This erroneous placement carried the potential to affect the aortic valve function, injure the aortic intima and/or occlude the aortic arch vessels. .

Cerebral protection in acute type A aortic dissection surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) still challenges physicians and warrants emergent surgical management. Two main methods to reduce cerebrovascular events in ATAAD surgeries are antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of ACP and RCP methods during the ATAAD surgery. Methods: In this study, we searched the databases until March 29th, 2023. Studies that reported the data for comparison of different types of brain perfusion protection during aortic surgery in patients with ATAAD were included. Results: Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria. All studies had a low risk of bias as they were evaluated by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. Eventually, we included 26 studies in the current meta-analysis, and a total of 13,039 patients were evaluated. The calculated risk ratio (RR) for permanent neurologic dysfunction (PND) in ACP and RCP comparison was RR =1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.84, 1.80) (P value =0.2662), and in unilateral ACP (uACP) and bilateral ACP (bACP) was RR =1.2786, 95% CI: (0.7931, 2.0615) (P value =0.3132). When comparing the ACP-RCP and uACP-bACP groups, significant differences were found between ACP-RCP the groups in terms of circulatory arrest time (P value =0.0017 and P value =0.1995, respectively), cardiopulmonary bypass time (P value =0.5312 and P value =0.7460, respectively), intensive care unit (ICU)-stay time (P value =0.2654 and P value =0.0099), crossclamp time (P value =0.6228 and P value =0.2625), and operative mortality (P value =0.9368 and P value =0.2398, respectively), and when comparing the u-ACP and b-ACP groups for transient neurologic deficit (TND), an RR of 1.32, 95% CI: (1.05, 1.67) (P value =0.0199). The results showed high heterogeneity and no publication bias. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the ACP and RCP are both safe and acceptable techniques to use in emergent settings. The uACP technique is equivalent to bACP in terms of PND and mortality, however, uACP is preferred over bACP in terms of TND.

Comparison of Echo-Planar Imaging and Compressed Sensing in the Estimation of Flow Metrics from Aortic 4D Flow MR Imaging: A Healthy Volunteer Study.

PURPOSE: Prolonged scanning of time-resolved 3D phase-contrast MRI (4D flow MRI) limits its routine use in clinical practice. An echo-planar imaging (EPI)-based sequence and compressed sensing can reduce the scan duration. We aimed to determine the impact of EPI for 4D flow MRI on the scan duration, image quality, and quantitative flow metrics. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 15 healthy volunteers (all male, mean age 33 ± 5 years). Conventional sensitivity encoding (SENSE), EPI with SENSE (EPI), and compressed SENSE (CS) (reduction factors: 6 and 12, respectively) were scanned.Scan duration, qualitative indexes of image quality, and quantitative flow parameters of net flow volume, maximum flow velocity, wall shear stress (WSS), and energy loss (EL) in the ascending aorta were assessed. Two-dimensional phase-contrast cine MRI (2D-PC) was considered the gold standard of net flow volume and maximum flow velocity. RESULTS: Compared to SENSE, EPI and CS12 shortened scan durations by 71% and 73% (EPI, 4 min 39 sec; CS6, 7 min 29 sec; CS12, 4 min 14 sec; and SENSE, 15 min 51 sec). Visual image quality was significantly better for EPI than for SENSE and CS (P < 0.001). The net flow volumes obtained with SENSE, EPI, and CS12 and those obtained with 2D-PC were correlated well (r = 0.950, 0.871, and 0.850, respectively). However, the maximum velocity obtained with EPI was significantly underestimated (P < 0.010). The average WSS was significantly higher with EPI than with SENSE, CS6, and CS12 (P < 0.001, P = 0.040, and P = 0.012, respectively). The EL was significantly lower with EPI than with CS6 and CS12 (P = 0.002 and P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: EPI reduced the scan duration, improved visual image quality, and was associated with more accurate net flow volume than CS. However, the flow velocity, WSS, and EL values obtained with EPI and other sequences may not be directly comparable.

Pulmonary Artery Dilatation Due to Pressure or Volume Overload in Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Pulmonary artery dilatation is described mostly in association with pulmonary hypertension. Patients/Methods: Study analysis: 60 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD); 64 with repaired tetralogy of Fallot/pulmonary regurgitation (rTOF/PR); and 80 healthy (NORMAL). Measured were: main pulmonary artery (MPA) diameter and MPA/ascending aorta (Ao asc) ratio, by echocardiography (ECHO) and computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). Results: In MPA diameter, significant differences between PAH-CHD, rTOF/PR, and NORMAL were found (median): 37 vs. 27 vs. 21 mm (p < 0.0001). In MPA/Ao asc ratio, there was a difference between PAH-CHD and NORMAL (median): 1.3 vs. 0.8 (p < 0.0001), but not between rTOF/PR and NORMAL: 0.74 vs. 0.8 (p = 0.3). Significant MPA dilatation (>40 mm) was present: in PAH-CHD, 35% (ECHO) and 76.9% (CT/MRI) of patients, while in rTOF/PR, 3.1% (ECHO) and 7.8% (CT/MRI). Severe MPA dilatation (>50 mm) occurred only in PAH-CHD: 16.7% (ECHO) and 31.4% (CT/MRI), while not in rTOF/PR. There was a significant correlation between ECHO and CT/MRI measurements, but ECHO was underestimated in all parameters. Conclusions: MPA dilatation due to pressure overload is more frequent and more severe; volume overload also leads to MPA dilatation but is less severe. The MPA/Ao asc ratio is not reliable for MPA dilatation estimation in rTOF/PR.

Patient-specific analysis of bicuspid aortic valve hemodynamics using a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction model.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most common congenital heart disease, is prone to develop significant valvular dysfunction and aortic wall abnormalities such as ascending aortic aneurysm. Growing evidence has suggested that abnormal BAV hemodynamics could contribute to disease progression. In order to investigate BAV hemodynamics, we performed 3D patient-specific fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations with fully coupled blood flow dynamics and valve motion throughout the cardiac cycle. Results showed that the hemodynamics during systole can be characterized by a systolic jet and two counter-rotating recirculation vortices. At peak systole, the jet was usually eccentric, with asymmetric recirculation vortices and helical flow motion in the ascending aorta. The flow structure at peak systole was quantified using the vorticity, flow rate reversal ratio and local normalized helicity (LNH) at four locations from the aortic root to the ascending aorta. The systolic jet was evaluated with the peak velocity, normalized flow displacement, and jet angle. It was found that peak velocity and normalized flow displacement (rather than jet angle) gave a strong correlation with the vorticity and LNH in the ascending aorta, which suggests that these two metrics could be used for clinical noninvasive evaluation of abnormal blood flow patterns in BAV patients.

Endovascular repair of ascending aortic pathologies in patients unfit for open surgery: case series and literature review.

The number of vascular centers performing endovascular repair of ascending aortic disease is constantly increasing. Accordingly to the guidelines, open surgical repair remains the gold standard for these pathologies. However, approximately one quarter of patients are deemed unfit for open surgery. In this study, we describe three cases of ascending thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) performed at our center. All the patients were deemed unfit for open surgery by the aortic team. Two patients had an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm, and the third had a focal type A aortic dissection. In two cases, we used two abdominal aortic cuffs deployed from zone 0B to zone 0C, with no need for supra-aortic trunk debranching. In one case, we performed a "reverse" extrathoracic debranching, and we deployed a thoracic endograft from zone 0B to zone 2. Complications included one minor stroke and one inguinal hematoma. In one patient with an infected pseudoaneurysm, we performed ascending TEVAR as a bridge strategy for open repair. This patient developed a type Ia endoleak; however, clinical stabilization and infection control were obtained, and he was able to undergo heart surgery successfully. He underwent a second reintervention to treat superior mesenteric embolic occlusion. At 2 years of follow-up, all three patients were alive. Our preliminary experience demonstrates the technical feasibility and clinical appropriateness of ascending TEVAR using standard, commercially available endografts. However, no consensus has been reached regarding some critical aspects, such as the development of a standardized technique or the efficacy of the currently available devices. The improvements in graft design and the adoption of the "aortic team" approach could help in the near future to standardize the procedure, establish appropriate indications, and ensure good clinical outcomes.

The Association Between Ascending Aortic and Left Ventricular Dimensions in Patients After Aortic Valve Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is often recommended for patients with severe aortic stenosis or chronic aortic regurgitation. These conditions result in remodeling of the left ventricle, including increased interstitial fibrosis that may persist even after AVR. These structural changes impact left ventricular (LV) mechanics, causing compromised LV diameter to occur earlier than reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and its role in aortic expansion one year after AVR. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who underwent AVR were evaluated. All patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography, which included measurements of the ascending aorta, aortic root, LVEF, and LVEDD before the surgery and one year postoperatively. Correlations between these variables were calculated. RESULTS: All patients underwent AVR with either a mechanical or biological prosthetic aortic valve. Following AVR, there was a significant decrease in the dimensions of the ascending aorta and aortic root (both P=0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in LVEDD and LVEF. Correlations were found between the preoperative ascending aortic size and the preoperative and one-year postoperative LVEDD (r=0.419, P=0.001 and r=0.320, P=0.314, respectively). Additionally, there was a correlation between the postoperative ascending aortic size and the preoperative and one-year postoperative LVEDD (r=0.320, P=0.003 and r=0.136, P=0.335, respectively). CONCLUSION: The study findings demonstrate a significant correlation between the size of the aortic root and ascending aorta, before and after AVR. Additionally, a notable correlation was observed between postoperative LVEDD and the size of the aortic root.

Aortic root enlargement and replacement of the ascending aorta in type 0 aortic valve stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: This case report aims to describe an aortic root enlargement in combination with the replacement of the ascending aorta in a patient presenting with severe aortic valve stenosis. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis due to a type 0 bicuspid aortic valve and an aortic aneurysm underwent surgery for treatment. The annulus was preoperatively measured with 19 mm. Enlargement was performed by using a tissue patch to create a neo-noncoronary sinus and enlarge the root. DISCUSSION: Patients with a small aortic root face an increased risk of patient prosthesis mismatch. Enlarging the aortic root can mitigate this, but it extends cross-clamp and overall operative times. This case shows the need for carefully planned surgical interventions to optimize outcomes in complex anatomies. CONCLUSIONS: Each step of the performed surgery is well-established, however the combination and the creation of a neo-noncoronary sinus is not described so far.