Leaflet's free edge suspension for correction of aortic insufficiency associated with ventricular septal defect.

Aortic valve regurgitation in association with ventricular septal defect results from the mechanical effect of the ventricular septal defect, which primarily affects the free edge. The elongated free edge can be repaired by plicating it using several techniques designed to restore a normal geometry to the prolapsing aortic leaflet. We describe 4 cases in which aortic insufficiency was treated by a technique of plication that allows suspension of the free edge along a pericardial strip applied from one commissure to the other.