Objectives: During congenital heart surgery, the pulmonary valve and root may be placed into the systemic position, yielding a "neoaortic" valve. With the stress of systemic pressure, the pulmonary roots can dilate, creating aneurysms and/or neoaortic insufficiency (neoAI). This report analyzes the early outcomes of patients undergoing neoaortic valve repair incorporating geometric ring annuloplasty.
Methods: Twenty-one patients underwent intended repair at six centers and formed the study cohort. Thirteen had previous Ross procedures, five had arterial switch operations, and three Fontan physiology. Average age was 21.7 ± 12.8 years (mean ± SD), 80% were male, and 11 (55%) had symptomatic heart failure. Preoperative neoAI Grade was 3.1 ± 1.1, and annular diameter was 30.7 ± 6.5 mm.
Results: Valve repair was accomplished in 20/21, using geometric annuloplasty rings and leaflet plication (n = 13) and/or nodular release (n = 7). Fourteen had neoaortic aneurysm replacement (13 with root remodeling). Two underwent bicuspid valve repair. Six had pulmonary conduit changes, one insertion of an artificial Nodulus Arantius, and one resection of a subaortic membrane. Ring size averaged 21.9 ± 2.3 mm, and aortic clamp time was 171 ± 54 minutes. No operative mortality or major morbidity occurred, and postoperative hospitalization was 4.3 ± 1.4 days. At discharge, neoAI grade was 0.2 ± 0.4 (P < .0001), and valve mean gradient was ≤20 mm Hg. At average 18.0 ± 9.1 months of follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic with stable valve function.
Conclusions: Neoaortic aneurysms and neoAI are occasionally seen late following Ross, arterial switch, or Fontan procedures. Neoaortic valve repair using geometric ring annuloplasty, leaflet reconstruction, and root remodeling provides a patient-specific approach with favorable early outcomes.
Keywords: Ross procedure; aortic valve repair; arterial switch operation.