ObjectiveTo explore the reoperation on aortic diseases in patients with previous aortic valve surgery due to rheumatic aortic valve disease, improve the understanding of aortic valve disease secondary to surgery of aortic valve. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of twenty-seven patients with previous aortic valve replacement due to rheumatic aortic valve disease underwent aortic root or other aortic operation in Fu Wai Cardiovascular Hospital because of new aortic root or aortic diseases between August 2003 and May 2012. All the patients with new aortic diseases were diagnosed by cardiac ultrasound and aortic computed tomography. The new diseases included type A aortic dissection in 13 patients, ascending aortic aneurysm in 6 patients, and aortic root aneurysm in 8 patients. There were 20 males and 7 females with mean age of 50±10 years (ranged 28-69 years). Seven patients underwent aortic root replacement, 6 patients received ascending aorta and total aortic arch replacement combined with stented graft implantation into the descending aorta, 6 patients received aortic root and total aortic arch replacement combined with stented graft, and 8 patients received the ascending aorta replacement. All patients were followed by clinic interview or telephone. ResultsThe interval time for reoperation was 6-110 (57±32) months. No patient died within 30 days after operation. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 50-274 (143±65) minutes; hospital stay was 13-27 (19±11) days. Four patients had renal insufficiency after operation and all were cured by hemofiltration before departure. Three patients had neurological complications of transient brain dysfunction, and there was no postoperative spinal cord deficits occurred. Four patients had pulmonary complication. The mean follow up time were 4-118 (43.5±32.2) months. Five patients were missed and 4 cases died during the follow-up. The follow-up rate was 81.5%. Three-year survival rate was 85.1%. There was no case received third operation due to aortic disease during the follow-up. ConclusionWe should pay more attention to patients with previous surgery due to rheumatic aortic valve disease, especially to patients combined with enlarged ascending aorta, so that aortic adverse events following to aortic valve operation can be reduced or be avoided in long term.
ObjectiveTo explore clinical features and surgical strategies for patients with aortic dissection (AD) manifesting as pure aortic regurgitation (AR), avoid preoperative misdiagnosis, and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsClinical data of 5 AD patients who were preoperatively diagnosed as pure AR in Beijing Fu Wai Hospital from January 2005 to May 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 4 male and 1 female patients with their median age of 41 (34-53) years. All the 5 patients were diagnosed as AD during the operation. One patient received aortic valvuloplasty, 1 patient received Wheat procedure, and 3 patients received Bentall procedure. Clinical manifestations, accessory examinations, intraoperative findings, surgical strategies and follow-up results were summarized. ResultsNo postoperative death or complication occurred in this study. Echocardiogram of patient 1 before discharge showed that transverse diameters of the ascending aorta and aortic sinus decreased with satisfactory closure of aortic valves but no AR. Echocardiogram and CT all showed normal function in mechanical valves and patent blood vessel prosthesis in the other 4 patients. All the 5 patients were followed up for 4 (1-5) years and were alive during follow-up. Echocardiogram showed normal function in mechanical valves and patent blood vessel prosthesis without paravalvular leak in 4 patients and mild AR in 1 patient. ConclusionAD manifesting as pure AR is rare and easily misdiagnosed preoperatively. Careful analysis of medical history and accessory examinations can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis. Appropriate surgical strategies should be chosen according to intraoperative findings of intimal tears and aortic sinus damage of AD.