Long-term results of Bentall composite aortic root replacement for ascending aortic aneurysms and dissections.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the early and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing aortic root replacement (ARR) with the Bentall procedure.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Cardiothoracic surgery unit.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Between January 1986 and January 2002, 72 patients (mean age 58.3 +/- 12.4 years, 81.9% males) underwent ARR by means of a Bentall operation. Annuloaortic ectasia was the most frequent cause of aortic disease in this series of patients (31 patients; 43.1%), followed by type A dissection (19 patients; 26.3%), atherosclerotic aneurysm (18 patients; 25.1%), and poststenotic dilatation (4 patients; 5.5%). Nine patients (12.5%) had Marfan syndrome, and 10 patients (13.8%) underwent a concomitant replacement of the aortic arch. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 192 months (mean [+/- SD], 86.6 +/- 23.8 months).

RESULTS

The mean 30-day mortality rate was 5.5 +/- 2%. The mean early mortality rate was 21 +/- 4% and 0% (p < 0.001), respectively, in patients with and without dissecting aortic aneurysms. There were two late deaths that were due to a pulmonary neoplasm and a cerebrovascular accident. The mean 16-year survival rate was 91.7 +/- 3.2%. The mean hazard of freedom from death was constant beyond 3 years (8.5 +/- 3.5%). No patient required reoperation. Furthermore, the long-term clinical follow-up was marked by a complete absence of endocarditis, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, valve thrombosis, and prosthesis failure. Finally, patients showed a significant improvement in mean New York Heart Association functional status (1.3 +/- 0.1; p < 0.001 [postoperatively vs preoperatively]).

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, the late results of the Bentall operation were satisfactory. Our findings confirm that this technique still represents the procedure of choice for ARR with coronary reimplantation.