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Objectives: Despite growing evidence that aortic valve repair improves long-term patient outcomes and quality of life, aortic valves are mostly replaced. We evaluate the effect of aortic valve repair versus replacement in patients with dystrophic aortic root aneurysm up to 4 years., Methods: The multicentric CAVIAAR (Conservation Aortique Valvulaire dans les Insuffisances Aortiques et les Anévrismes de la Racine aortique) prospective cohort study enrolled 261 patients: 130 underwent standardized aortic valve repair (REPAIR) consisting of remodelling root repair with expansible aortic ring annuloplasty, and 131 received mechanical composite valve and graft replacement (REPLACE). Primary outcome was a composite criterion of mortality, reoperation, thromboembolic or major bleeding events, endocarditis or operating site infections, pacemaker implantation and heart failure, analysed with propensity score-weighted Cox model analysis. Secondary outcomes included major adverse valve-related events and components of primary outcome., Results: The mean age was 56.1 years, and valve was bicuspid in 115 patients (44.7%). Up to 4 years, REPAIR did not significantly differ from REPLACE in terms of primary outcome [Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.66 (0.39; 1.12)] but showed significantly less valve-related deaths (HR 0.09 [0.02; 0.34]) and major bleeding events (HR 0.37 [0.16; 0.85]) without an increased risk of valve-related reoperation (HR 2.10 [0.64; 6.96]). When accounting for the occurrence of multiple events in a single patient, the REPAIR group had half the occurrence of major adverse valve-related events (HR 0.51 [0.31; 0.86])., Conclusions: Although the primary outcome did not significantly differ between the REPAIR and REPLACE groups, the trend is in favour of REPAIR by a significant reduction of valve-related deaths and major bleeding events. Long-term follow-up beyond 4 years is needed to confirm these findings., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The study objective was to compare the 30-day outcomes of a standardized aortic valve repair technique (REPAIR group) associating root remodeling with an expansible aortic ring annuloplasty versus mechanical composite valve and graft (CVG group) replacement in treating aortic root aneurysms., Methods: A total of 261 consecutive patients with aortic root aneurysm were enrolled in this multicentric prospective cohort (131 in the CVG group, 130 in the REPAIR group) in 20 centers. The main end point is a composite criterion including mortality; reoperation; thromboembolic, hemorrhagic, or infectious events; and heart failure. Secondary end points were major adverse valve-related events. Crude and propensity score adjusted estimates are provided., Results: The mean age was 56.1 years, and the valve was bicuspid in 115 patients (44.7%). The median (interquartile range) preoperative aortic insufficiency grade was 2.0 (1.0-3.0) in the REPAIR group and 3.0 (2.0-3.0) in the CVG group (P = .0002). Thirty-day mortality was 3.8% (n = 5) in both groups (P = 1.00). Despite a learning curve and longer crossclamp times for valve repair (147.7 vs 99.8 minutes, P < .0001), the 2 groups did not differ significantly for the main criterion (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-2.40; P = .38) or 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-3053; P = .99), with a trend toward more frequent major adverse valve-related events in the CVG group (odds ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-7.40; P = .09). At discharge, 121 patients (96.8%) in the REPAIR group had grade 0 or 1 aortic insufficiency., Conclusions: A new standardized approach to valve repair, combining an expansible aortic annuloplasty ring with the remodeling technique, presented similar 30-day results to mechanical CVG with a trend toward reducing major adverse valve-related events. Analysis of late outcomes is in process for 3- and 10-year follow-ups., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aortic root aneurysms are characterized by dilation of both functional aortic annulus diameters (aortic annular base and sino-tubular junction), preventing coaptation of otherwise pliable valves often associated with cusp prolapse. Multiple techniques of aortic valve sparing procedures try to restore the complex interplay of aortic valve and root function in order to improve durability of the repair. Ideally, procedures should treat dilatation of the aortic annular base, while preserving dynamics of the aortic root with vortices (neosinuses of Valsalva) and root expansibility (interleaflet triangles). We describe a standardized approach, combining the advantages of both the remodeling and reimplantation technique by adding an external subvalvular ring annuloplasty to the physiological remodeling of the aortic root. To address the need for a dedicated aortic annuloplasty device, a new expansible aortic ring was designed in order to achieve a complete and calibrated annuloplasty in diastole, while maintaining systolic expansibility of the aortic root.

Objectives: Multiplicity of aortic valve repair or sparing techniques results in a lack of standardisation, limiting widespread adoption of such procedures. To treat dilated diameters at the aortic annular base and sinotubular junction while maintaining root dynamics, we propose a standardised and physiological repair approach to the surgical management of aortic root aneurysms, consisting of root remodelling, cusp re-suspension and subvalvular aortic ring annuloplasty., Methods: From May 2003 to September 2009, 144 unselected patients with aortic root aneurysms underwent remodelling with external subvalvular ring annuloplasty in 13 centres (21 surgeons). Preoperative aortic insufficiency (AI) > or =grade 2 was present in 63.9% (92), Marfan syndrome in 12.5% (18) and bicuspid valve in 22.9% (33). Cusp repair was performed in 40.3% (58) patients., Results: Valve repair was successful in all but two cases. Repair of cusp prolapse was necessary in 58 patients, significantly more frequent in bicuspid (24/33, 72.7%) than in tricuspid (34/111, 30.6%) valves (p<0.05). Operative mortality was 2.8% (four). Subvalvular ring implantation produced a significant annular base reduction from 27.6+/-2.5 mm to 20.5+/-2.6 mm (p<0.01) without significant mean trans-valvular gradient (7.2+/-1.7 mmHg). During follow-up (median 2.2 years (0.75-4.4, maximum 6.25 years)), five patients died while eight required a re-operation. Six were operated on during our early experience. Strategy for cusp re-suspension evolved over three operative periods, with a significant increase in the rate of cusp repair. From May 2003 to December 2006: eye balling evaluation (15/67 (22.4%)); from January 2007 to August 2008: alignment of cusp free edges (17/38 (44.7%)); and from September 2008 to September 2009: a two-step standardised repair consisting of alignment of cusp free edges and effective height re-suspension (26/39 (66.7%) p<0.05). Freedom from AI> or =grade 2 was 91.3% (115) at the end of follow-up., Conclusions: Implantation of an external aortic ring provides a reproducible technique for aortic valve repair with satisfactory preliminary results. The ongoing CAVIAAR trial (Conservative Aortic Valve surgery for aortic Insufficiency and Aneurysm of the Aortic Root) will compare this standardised repair technique using an expansible aortic ring to mechanical valve replacement., (Copyright 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A patient with a history of bronchial carcinoma was admitted to the coronary care unit with chest pain suggestive of infarction and an ECG showing changes compatible with acute lateral wall infarction. The coronary arteries were shown to be normal and echocardiography revealed an intracardiac mass which MRI confirmed to be a direct extension of the pulmonary tumour. Echocardiography should be performed systematically in patients with chest pain and ECG changes of ischaemia who also have progressive oncological disease.

Atrial septal defects usually give rise to left-to right in the absence of obstruction of the pulmonary outflow tract or pulmonary hypertension. The authors report a case of atrial septal defect with a right-to-left shunt despite normal pulmonary pressures at catheterisation in a 56 year-old-man who had undergone left pneumonectomy 6 months previously. The shunt was responsible for major arterial desaturation aggravated by the left lateral or dorsal decubitus position. Surgical closure of the defect resulted in cure with disappearance of cyanosis and normalisation of blood gases. The physiopathological mechanisms of these right-to-left shunts with normal pulmonary pressures are discussed with reference to previously reported cases in the literature.

The authors report a case of cardiac arrest occurring in a patient who had just entered the catheter laboratory for coronary angioplasty. Opacification of the left coronary artery revealed a proximal occluding double spasm unrelated to the distal stenoses for which angioplasty had been requested. Resuscitation and antispastic therapy with intracoronary injection of a nitrate derivative resulted in a complete recovery without any sequellae. The role of coronary spasm in sudden death and the value of the ergometrine test in patients with coronary stenosis are discussed.

The authors report the medico-surgical experience of Marie Lannelongue hospital of a rare condition: accessory mitral valve tissue. Seven patients aged 2 to 28 years (average: 8.7 years) had left ventricular outflow obstruction due to accessory mitral valve tissue. The diagnostic was not obvious clinically and was based on the association of echocardiographic and angiographic data. This condition was associated with another intra-cardiac malformation in 6 of the 7 patients. Surgical treatment included resection of the accessory mitral valve tissue by an aortic or combined aorto-left atrial approach, together with correction of the associated intracardiac abnormality. The postoperative results were excellent with the regression of the ventriculo-aortic pressure gradient and the physiological integrity of the mitral valve.

The authors, who have successfully performed thrombectomy of the pulmonary artery under extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia in three patients, wish to draw attention to the principal factors of success. The decision to operate, as accepted by most surgeons, rests on the patient's functional status (stage III or IV) and on the presence of a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure exceeding 50 mmHg. Deep hypothermia combined with circulatory arrest seems to be the best method, as it improves visual control, thereby avoiding damage to the endothelium or fracture of the distal thrombi during thrombectomy. Finally, a new approach route (severing of the superior pulmonary vein, opening of the pulmonary artery and use of Volmar-Sisteron strippers) makes it possible to remove the entire thrombus, thus obtaining an almost normal pressure in the pulmonary artery. In all three patients, the complications that are mostly due to intrabronchial haemorrhage by disruption of the endothelium, fracture of the distal thrombus or pulmonary artery contusion were avoided.

Aneurysms of an aberrant subclavian artery are rare. They are usually secondary to atherosclerosis. Dysphagia is the most common presenting symptom. The diagnosis of these lesions is most easily established by CT scan. Biplane arteriography is necessary in order to clearly analyze the aortic arch and its branches. Surgical resection is usually indicated. Numerous procedures have been proposed to treat these lesions and controversy exists concerning the best surgical technique. We treated a patient who suffered from an aneurysm of an aberrant subclavian artery. The surgical technique is detailed as well as a review of all the cases of the literature.

A polyglactin mesh wrapping was used to unite the four fragments of a severely ruptured kidney. The operation was performed on the twelfth day after the trauma. One year postoperatively, the clinical biological and urographic results are excellent.