Abstract
Background:The aim of this study was to analyze short- and mid- term results after aortic valve (AV) repair with particular regard to the impact of valve cuspidity (bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic valve). Methods: One hundred patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) undergoing aortic valve repair between November 2007 and October 2012 were included in the study.
Sixty patients had bicuspid AV (BAV group; 11 females) and 40 patients had tricuspid AV (TAV group; 13 females). AR > grade 2 was present in 47 (78%) patients in the BAV and in 35 (88%) patients in the TAV group.
Follow-up was complete in 100% and median was 25 months. Results: lsolated aortic valve repair was performed in 27 (45%) of BAV patients and in six (15%) of TAV patients.
Replacement of the ascending aorta and/or aortic root was performed in 33 (55%) of BAV patients and in 34 (86%) of TAV patients. There was no death within 30 days postoperatively, while two patients died (TAV group) during the follow-up period.
There was no statistical difference between BAV and TAV groups with regard to the survival (100+- 0% vs. 95+- 4%, p = 0.102), the three-year freedom from AV-related reoperation (90+-5% vs.89+-6%, p=0.456), and the three-year freedom from AR grade>2 (86+-6% vs. 82 +- 7%, p = 0.866), respectively. Conclusions; This study demonstrates no difference in mid-term results after regurgitant bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve repair, suggesting that bicuspid valve may not be a risk factor for aortic valve repair.