Background: Structural valve degeneration is a known sequel of aortic valve replacement with bioprosthetic valves, not infrequently leading to redo valve replacement. Reoperation on the aortic valve is associated with an incumbent increase in perioperative risk, and this risk is further increased when reoperation is performed on an already replaced aortic root.
Methods: We present a technique of opening the aortic graft and explanting the bioprosthesis by dividing the plane between the stent frame and the sewing ring of the bioprosthesis, followed by re-implantation of a bioprosthesis using simple sutures incorporating the remaining valve seat.
Results: The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on the fifth day postoperatively.
Conclusions: The author presents a simple and reproducible technique to replace a degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valve while preserving the previous aortic root replacement.
Keywords: Aortic valve replacement; Re-do cardiac surgery.
Copyright © 2019 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.