Aortic root replacement for bicuspid aortic valve dysfunction does not impair survival rates.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve carry an increased risk for developing an ascending aortic aneurysm due to intrinsic aortic wall alterations. A lower threshold for aortic surgery may therefore be considered in these patients, especially in those who require aortic valve surgery. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of an isolated aortic valve replacement with that of an aortic root replacement in bicuspid aortic valve patients with an indication for aortic valve surgery. METHODS: Patients were included in retrospect from a tertiary academic hospital. Included patients received an elective aortic valve (AVR) or a composite valve-graft conduit (both mechanical and biological) between 2006 and 2021 without any concomitant procedure. Mortality data were retrieved from a national database and comparisons, including survival analyses, were performed between both groups. RESULTS: A total of 132 isolated AVR and 149 aortic root replacements were included. Patients who received an isolated AVR were significantly older than the aortic root replacement group (62.9 vs. 57.7 year respectively, p < 0.001). Survival analyses showed a comparable long-term mortality between both groups (8.1% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.321). CONCLUSION: This study shows that performing an aortic root replacement with a composite valve-graft conduit in bicuspid aortic valve patients does not impair the survival outcomes. In the light of preventing potential future aortic complications within this patient group with a congenitally and structurally weakened aortic wall, a more aggressive approach towards the treatment of BAV aortopathy might be considered.

A Case Report of Modified Cabrol Technique in a 60-Year-Old Male with Coronary Origin Anatomical Variant.

Introduction: Reconstruction surgery of the proximal aorta in most cases involves the use of an aortic conduit, followed by reimplantation of the coronary ostia. Although uncommon, the origin of the coronary arteries in certain anatomical variants poses additional difficulties when performing surgery on the aortic root and requires a different treatment rationale. Case report: We hereby present the case of a 60-year-old patient with multiple cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia), suffering from severe degenerative stenosis of a bicuspid aortic valve, associated with ascending aorta aneurysm and a significant extrinsic stenosis of the left coronary artery caused by the aneurysm. The patient presented with severe degenerative bicuspid aortic valve stenosis associated with ascending aorta aneurysm and a significant extrinsic stenosis of the left coronary artery caused by the aneurysm. Following the preoperative assessment, it was decided that the best course of action was to perform surgery on the aortic valve and ascending aorta. During the surgery, the origin of the right and left coronary ostia were found at the level of the left coronary cusp, both forming a common coronary button. Due to this particular anatomical variant, it was decided to reimplant them as a common button onto the main conduit by means of an interposed No.10 PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) vascular prosthesis. Conclusion: A rare case of aortic root surgery associated with coronary ostia origin variant "shotgun barrel", which required a different method of reimplantation: modified Cabrol technique.

Successful TAVR for a Patient with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis and Previous Type A Aortic Dissection.

Whether transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can be accomplished in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (AV) and previous type A aortic dissection remains rarely addressed. We report such a case in whom transfemoral TAVR was smoothly performed employing an extraordinary long sheath to bypass the dissected aortic segment, yet at the cost of perioperative left temporoparietal infarction owing to no suitable cerebral embolic protection device available in the presence of a remaining dissection in the aortic arch. Thus, for such patients, transfemoral TAVR is still feasible but novel embolic protection devices of distinct designs should be developed to avoid perioperative cerebral embolism.

Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valves: Unique Clinical and Microbiologic Features.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are at increased risk of infective endocarditis (IE). Information of the clinical presentation and the microbiology of BAV-associated IE, however, is limited. Therefore, our study aimed to characterise the clinical features native valve endocarditis (NVE) in the setting of BAV and compared them to patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) following BAV replacement. METHODS: Adult patients with BAV or history of BAV with aortic valve replacement (AVR) and a definite or possible IE diagnosis within the Mayo Clinic Enterprise (USA) from January 2008 to December 2021, were included. BAV was confirmed by trans-oesophageal echocardiography. IE was defined according to the modified Duke criteria and only an initial episode was included. Statistical analyses were performed to compare clinical characteristics, microbiology, and IE complications. RESULTS: Overall, 161 patients with BAV and IE (NVE [n=60], 37.3%) and PVE [n=101, 62.7%) were included. Mean age±SD was 56.5±16.1 years, and 139 (86.3%) patients were males. PVE patients were older (p<0.01) and had a higher rate of hypertension (p<0.01), chronic heart failure (p<0.01), chronic kidney disease (p<0.01), and perivalvular abscess (p<0.01). BAV patients with NVE had a higher prevalence of isolated mitral valve IE (p<0.01), moderate to severe aortic valve regurgitation (p<0.01) and combined aortic with mitral valve IE (p<0.01). Streptococcus mitis was the most common pathogen in NVE (30.0%) while Staphylococcus aureus was the most common in PVE (15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BAV are at risk of both NVE and PVE. Each syndrome has unique clinical features, including microbiologic findings, that should be appreciated in IE diagnosis and management.

Prognostic value of the electrocardiogram in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Identifying bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients at risk for cardiac events remains challenging and the role of the electrocardiogram (ECG) has not yet been described. Therefore, this study aims to describe ECG parameters in BAV patients, and investigate their prognostic value. METHODS: In this single-center prospective study patients with BAV without a prior aortic valve replacement (AVR) were included. Transthoracic echocardiogram and 12­lead resting-ECG were obtained. Associations between ECG parameters and the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and AVR were assessed using Cox-proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: 120 patients with BAV were included (median age 30 years, 61% male). Median aortic jet velocity was 2.4 m/s [IQR: 1.7-3.4] and 5 patients (4%) had severe aortic regurgitation. All patients were in sinus rhythm. Any ECG abnormality was present in 57 patients (48%). Median PR-interval was 156 [IQR: 138-170] msec. A deviating QRS axis was found in 17 patients (14%) and Cornell criteria for LVH were fulfilled in 20 patients (17%). Repolarization abnormalities were present in 12 patients (10%). Median follow-up duration was 7.0 [6.3-9.8] years, during which 23 patients underwent AVR and 2 patients died. After adjusting for age, a longer PR-interval was associated with worse intervention-free survival (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04). CONCLUSION: Almost half of the patients with BAV had abnormalities on their ECG. Moreover, the PR-interval may be an interesting prognostic marker for intervention-free survival in BAV patients.

Comprehensive imaging evaluation of the aortic valve and root before aortic root surgery: a study comparing MDCT and TEE.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy and consistency of MDCT and TEE in the preoperative assessment of aortic root surgery. METHODS: From January 2021 to September 2022, 118 patients who underwent aortic root surgery were included in this study. All patients underwent high-quality preoperative MDCT and TEE examinations, and the examination results were independently measured and assessed by two senior radiologists or ultrasound specialists. Bland-Altman analysis and Pearson correlation testing were employed to assess the correlation and consistency between MDCT and TEE. These analyses were then compared with actual intraoperative measurement data. RESULTS: Among all the patients, 73 (61.86%) had tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), and 45 (38.14%) had bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). A comparison between the TEE and MDCT measurements showed that for the annulus diameter, the area-derived diameter had the best correlation and agreement. For the sinus of Valsalva diameter, the circumference-derived diameter was optimal. However, for the STJ diameter, the minimum cross-sectional diameter showed the best agreement with TEE. In contrast, measurements of geometric height showed a weaker correlation and agreement. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MDCT can be a valuable tool for perioperative evaluation in aortic root surgery, with good correlation, consistency, and feasibility when compared to TEE. The choice of MDCT measurement methodology, specifically area-derived and circumference-derived diameter, proved to be more accurate than other methods. Further research is required to enhance the understanding of aortic valve repair and associated imaging techniques.

Ascending Aortic Progression After Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement Among Patients with Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Valves.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to compare the long-term outcomes for ascending aortic dilatation and adverse aortic events after isolated aortic valve replacement between patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve ( TAV). METHODS: This retrospective study included 310 patients who had undergone isolated aortic valve replacement with an ascending aorta diameter ≤ 45 mm between January 2010 and September 2021. The patients were divided into BAV group (n=90) and TAV group (n=220). The differences in the dilation rate of the ascending aorta and long-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall survival was 89 ± 4% in the BAV group vs. 75 ± 6% in the TAV group at 10 years postoperatively (P=0.007), yet this difference disappeared after adjusting exclusively for age (P=0.343). The mean annual growth rate of the ascending aorta was similar between the two groups during follow-up (0.5 ± 0.6 mm/year vs. 0.4 ± 0.5 mm/year; P=0.498). Ten-year freedom from adverse aortic events was 98.1% in the BAV group vs. 95.0% in the TAV group (P=0.636). Multivariable analysis revealed preoperative ascending aorta diameter to be a significant predictor of adverse aortic events (hazard ratio: 1.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.33 to 2.38; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that the long-term survival and the risks of adverse aortic events between BAV and TAV patients were similar after isolated aortic valve replacement. BAV was not a risk factor of adverse aortic events.

3-Year Outcomes From the Evolut Low Risk TAVR Bicuspid Study.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes from transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in low-surgical risk patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis beyond 2 years are limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate 3-year clinical and echocardiographic outcomes from the Evolut Low Risk Bicuspid Study. METHODS: The Evolut Low Risk Bicuspid Study is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study conducted in 25 U.S. CENTERS: Patients with severe aortic stenosis at low surgical risk with bicuspid aortic valve anatomy (all subtypes) underwent TAVR with a self-expanding, supra-annular Evolut R or PRO (Medtronic) bioprosthesis. An independent clinical events committee adjudicated all deaths and endpoint-related adverse events, and a central echocardiographic core laboratory assessed hemodynamic endpoints. RESULTS: An attempted implant was performed in 150 patients from December 2018 to October 2019. The mean age was 70.3 ± 5.5 years, 48% (72/150) of the patients were women, and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 1.3% (Q1-Q3: 0.9%-1.7%). Sievers type 1 was the dominant bicuspid morphology (90.7%, 136/150). The Kaplan-Meier rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke were 1.3% (95% CI: 0.3%-5.3%) at 1 year, 3.4% (95% CI: 1.4%-8.1%) at 2 years, and 4.1% (95% CI: 1.6%-10.7%) at 3 years. The incidence of new permanent pacemaker implantation was 19.4% (95% CI: 12.4%-29.6%) at 3 years. There were no instances of moderate or severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation at 2 and 3 years after TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-year results from the Evolut Low Risk Bicuspid Study demonstrate low rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke and favorable hemodynamic performance.

Minimally invasive versus conventional methods for aortic root surgery: Choosing the right approach.

OBJECTIVE: Partial upper sternotomy is preferred for isolated aortic valve replacement because of its optimal surgical visibility and favorable cosmetic outcomes; however, it is not commonly used for aortic root surgery, and the conventional median sternotomy is still the preferred method for most surgeons. We aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of a minimally invasive approach (partial sternotomy [PS]) and conventional approach (median sternotomy [FS]) for aortic root surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent aortic root surgery at our hospital from 2016 to 2021 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups. After propensity score matching, the conventional group included 156 patients and the minimally invasive group-57 patients. RESULTS: Bicuspid aortic valves were observed in 63 (40.4%) and 33 (57.9%) patients in the FS and PS groups, respectively. Valve-sparing surgery was performed on 69 (44.2%) and 30 (52.6%) patients in the FS and PS groups, respectively. The minimally invasive approach was beneficial in terms of blood loss during the first 24 h after surgery (p = 0.029) and postoperative blood transfusion (p = 0.023). The survival rates and freedom from reoperation or severe aortic regurgitation after the David procedure were comparable between the standard and minimally invasive groups (p = 0.25; p = 0.66) at mid-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A minimally invasive approach for aortic root surgery can be safely performed as the standard approach. Partial upper sternotomy has the advantage of lower blood loss in the early postoperative period and does not negatively affect the results of valve-sparing root replacement.

Sex differences in transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes among patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite comprising almost half of all patients undergoing valvular repair, data on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis (BAS) are limited. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether there are any sex differences in trends and outcomes of TAVR in this population. METHODS: We utilized the National Inpatient Sample from 2012 to 2020 to identify admissions with BAS who underwent TAVR and analyzed trends and outcomes. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcomes were in-hospital complications. We used two models to adjust for demographics (A) and interventions (B). RESULTS: Between 2012 to 2020, there were 76,540 hospitalizations for BAS patients who underwent AVR, among which 6,010 (7.9 %) underwent TAVR. There was an overall increasing trend in number of TAVR cases with a decreasing trend in mortality (2013: 8.7 %, 2020: 1.3 %). TAVR was performed more in males (61.1% vs 38.9 %). Despite the worse baseline characteristics in males, in-hospital mortality (2.4% vs. 1.5 %; OR: 1.584; 95 % CI: 0.621-4.038; p = 0.335) and secondary outcomes were similar across both sexes, even after adjusting for demographics and interventions. CONCLUSION: TAVR in BAS has grown rapidly in the last decade. Males comprised the majority and had more comorbidities, but mortality and complications were similar in both sexes. Despite the increasing number of cases, a decreasing trend in mortality was observed for both sexes ultimately approaching that of SAVR, suggesting that TAVR may be a safe alternative among eligible males and females with bicuspid AS.

Valve-in-valve implantation to seal post-dilation-induced annular rupture in transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

An 85-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Preoperative computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a type I bicuspid aortic valve.

Assess the Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Bicuspid Valve with Mixed Disease versus Predominant Aortic Stenosis.

Purpose: In mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD), the results of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are conflicting. There is limited data on the outcomes of TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and MAVD. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes after TAVR in BAV patients with MAVD and predominant aortic stenosis (PAS). Patients and Methods: Patients with BAV who underwent TAVR between January 2016 and April 2023 were included. The primary outcome was device success. The secondary endpoints were periprocedural mortality and other complications as defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 (VARC-3). Propensity score matching was used to minimize potential confounding. Results: A total of 262 patients were included in this study, 83 of whom had MAVD. The median age was 72 years, and 55.7% were male. The baseline comorbidity risk files were comparable between the two groups. Patients with MAVD had more mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension, larger annular and left ventricular outflow tract dimensions, and more severe calcification than PAS. In the unmatched population, MAVD patients had similar device success rate (69.9% vs 79.9%, P=0.075) and 30-day mortality (3.6% vs 3.4%, P=1) compared to PAS. Propensity score matching resulted in 66 patient pairs. Device success rate were still comparable in the matched population. Other clinical outcomes, including stroke, bleeding (type 2-4), major vascular complications, acute kidney injury (stage 2-4) and permanent pacemaker implantation, were comparable between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis did not show MAVD to be an independent negative predictor of device success. At one year, survival was similar between patients with MAVD and those with PAS. Conclusion: For the bicuspid valve, patients with MAVD had a more challenging anatomy. MAVD patients associated with comparable 30-day clinical outcomes after TAVR compared to PAS patients in patients with BAV.

Bicuspid valve CT registry of balloon-expandable TAVR: BETTER TAVR registry.

BACKGROUND: The anatomic substrate of bicuspid valves may lead to suboptimal TAVR stent expansion and geometry. AIM: We evaluated determinants of stent geometry in bicuspid valves treated with Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) valves. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective registry of patients (February 2019 to August 2022) who underwent post-TAVR computed tomography to determine stent area (vs. nominal valve area) and stent ellipticity (maximum diameter/minimum diameter). Predictors of relative stent expansion (minimum area/average of inflow + outflow area) and stent ellipticity were evaluated in a multivariable regression model, including valve calcium volume (indexed by annular area), presence of raphe calcium, sinus diameters indexed by area-derived annular diameter, and performance of pre-dilation and post-dilation. RESULTS: The registry enrolled 101 patients from four centers. The minimum stent area (vs. nominal area) was 88.1%, and the maximum ellipticity was 1.10, with both observed near the midframe of the valve in all cases. Relative stent expansion ≥90% was observed in 64/101 patients. The only significant predictor of relative stent expansion ≥90% was the performance of post-dilation (OR: 4.79, p = 0.018). Relative stent expansion ≥90% was seen in 86% of patients with post-dilation compared to 57% without (p < 0.001). The stent ellipticity ≥1.1 was observed in 47/101 patients. The significant predictors of stent ellipticity ≥1.1 were the indexed maximum sinus diameter (OR: 0.582, p = 0.021) and indexed intercommisural diameter at 4 mm (OR: 2.42, p = 0.001). Stent expansion has a weak negative correlation with post-TAVR mean gradient (r = -0.324, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Relative stent expansion ≥90% was associated with the performance of post-dilation, and stent ellipticity ≥1.1 was associated with indexed intercommisural diameter and indexed maximum sinus diameter. Further studies to determine optimal deployment strategies in bicuspid valves are needed.