Stentless valve replacement in the small aortic root.

Despite the variety of different artificial heart valves available, no ideal prosthesis for the small aortic root has yet been identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic performance and clinical outcome after stentless aortic valve replacement. A total of 70 patients with a small aortic root underwent Toronto (n = 61) or Freestyle (n = 9) stentless aortic valve replacement. All but three patients had aortic stenosis. Mean (s.d.) age at operation was 71.2(7.9) years. The mean annular diameter was 21.4(1.2) mm. Using controlled oversizing adjusting valve size to the sinotubular junction diameter, a 23-mm prosthesis was implanted in 23 patients and a 25-mm prosthesis in 47 patients. The maximum pressure gradient was 19.1(6.8) mmHg and effective valve orifice area was 1.47(0.27) cm2. At discharge and at follow-up, all patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II. At follow-up there was a significant reduction in pressure gradients, an increase in effective valve orifice areas, and decrease of pre-existing left ventricular hypertrophy. In conclusion, with controlled oversizing a gain in prosthesis size of 2 to 4 mm can be achieved. Implantation of oversized stentless valves leads to improved haemodynamics and to left ventricular remodelling in patients with a small aortic root.