Opening and closing characteristics of the aortic valve after valve-sparing procedures using a new aortic root conduit

Background. The durability of aortic valve-sparing procedures is negatively affected by increased leaflet stress in the absence of normally shaped sinuses of Valsalva. We compared valve motion after remodeling procedures using a standard conduit and a specifically designed aortic root conduit. Methods. Echocardiographic studies of the aortic valve dynamics were performed in 14 patients after remodeling of the aortic root (7 standard conduits, group A; 7 new conduits, group B) and in 7 controls (group C). Opening and closing leaflet velocities and percent of slow closing leaflet displacement were measured. Root distensibility and the pressure strain of the elastic modulus were measured at all root levels. Results. Root distensibility and the pressure strain of the elastic modulus were different in group A and B only at the sinuses (p < 0.001). Opening and closing leaflet velocities were not different among groups. Slow closing leaflet displacement was markedly more evident in group B patients (24.2% +/- 1.9% versus 2.5% +/- 1.9% in group A, p < 0.001) and similar to controls (22.1% +/- 7.9%). Conclusions. The new conduit guarantees dynamic features of the aortic valve leaflets superior to those obtained with standard conduits and more similar to normal subjects. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.