Replacement of aortic root and ascending aorta in adult congenital heart disease.

The aortic root and ascending aorta can be involved in a wide spectrum of diseases; both congenital and acquired. Progressive aortic root or ascending aortic dilatation and aneurysmal formation can lead to serious complications, including aortic valve incompetence, aortic dissection and aortic rupture. Various medical and surgical strategies have been developed over the past few decades to manage and prevent such complications. In this review, congenital conditions of aortic dilatation will be discussed.