Background and aim of the study: In structural aortic valve disease, medial degeneration is often associated with ascending aorta dilatation. This pathology is often asymmetric, with more severe involvement of the convex aspect of the ascending aorta. The condition can be managed with surgical excision of the diseased portion of the aortic wall and remodeling reconstruction at the time of aortic valve replacement (AVR).
Methods: Sixty-one patients underwent AVR and 'waistcoat aortoplasty'. Sinus dilatation was repaired by plicating the subcoronary redundant aortic wall using anchoring sutures of the valve prosthesis. The diseased aortic wall was removed via a triangular resection, and the aorta reconstructed with a double-layer technique, to achieve autologous reinforcement of the convex right posterolateral wall and stress reduction on the aortotomy suture line. Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and every six months thereafter. The significance of diameter variations was evaluated.
Results: There was no hospital mortality, and only low postoperative morbidity. Post-reduction diameters at the sinuses, sinotubular junction and ascending aorta were significantly less than preoperative values (p < 0.0001). During a mean follow up of 33.8 +/- 10.2 months (range: 13-50 months), no significant increase in root (p = 0.32), sinotubular (p = 0.15), or ascending diameter (p = 0.11) was observed.
Conclusion: The 'waistcoat aortoplasty' should be considered when dealing with asymmetric ascending dilation secondary to aortic valve disease-related medial degeneration. However, additional studies with a longer follow up are needed to confirm these findings.