Bicuspid aortic valve repair adapted to aortic phenotype

Introduction

The bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiovascular anomaly. It coexists with differing aortopathy phenotypes including almost universal annulus dilation (1). Composite root replacement and aortic valve replacement with or without ascending aortic replacement represent current mainstream management. Valve-sparing root replacement with concomitant aortic valve repair has been shown to be beneficial for patients with aortic dilatation and significant AI. This is due to the support provided by an external ring or suture annuloplasty in the case of remodeling or the proximal suture of a reimplantation (2-4). We have developed a standardized approach to BAV repair with a systematic adjunct of aortic annuloplasty according to the three phenotypes of the proximal aorta (5):

• Dilated aortic root (sinus of Valsalva >45 mm): remodeling root repair with associated external ring annuloplasty;
• Ascending aortic dilatation (>45 mm) and moderately dilated root (<40–45 mm): tubular aortic replacement with external ring annuloplasty;
• Normal root and ascending aorta (<45 mm): double sub- and supra-valvular (STJ) aortic ring annuloplasty.

Surgical technique

Preparation

Standard preoperative evaluation of the patient includes transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and a gated CT scan in order to precisely measure the diameter of the aortic root (annulus and sinus of Valsalva) and ascending aorta (STJ and tubular aorta). Imaging is also key to assessment of the site of reimplantation of the coronary ostia in relation to the STJ. A detailed perioperative transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) allows for comprehensive assessment of the valve, the type of fusion with number of raphes, the presence of leaflet prolapse, retraction, fenestrations, calcification, coaptation height as well as the size of the annulus, root and tubular aorta. Commissure orientation is defined as the angle formed by the lines joining the commissures to the central axis of the valve and the angle measured is the that on the non-fused cusp side. It varies between 180° (bicuspid symmetrical configuration) and 120° (tricuspid configuration). Careful assessment of the effective height of the non-fused cusp is essential as the reference cusp for the repair.

Exposition

After a median sternotomy, the patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using two-staged aortic cannulation. Once the cross clamp is applied, a right superior pulmonary vent is placed and the aorta is opened transversely 1 cm distal to STJ. Following this, cardioplegia is administered directly to both ostia and single-dose Custodiol cardioplegia is usually sufficient for the whole procedure.

Operation

Bicuspid aortic valve with dilated root (>45 mm): remodeling root repair with expansible aortic ring annuloplasty

This operation involves combination of the remodeling valve-sparing technique with a subvalvular aortic annuloplasty using an expansible aortic ring (ExtraAortic, CORONEO Inc). We first assess the valve for suitability of repair by careful inspection for major calcification, fenestrations and retraction, defined as a geometric height <20 mm for the non-fused cusp (6). The aortic annulus is considered as dilated when ≥25 mm (Hegar dilator) and will be treated with an external annuloplasty.

Once we are satisfied that the valve is suitable for repair, the sinuses of Valsalva are resected and external dissection of the aortic root is performed down to the aortic annular base. The native aortic annular base diameter is measured with Hegar dilators as the sole criterion for size selection of the aortic ring and the graft used to remodel the aortic root (Gelweave Valsalva, Vascutek, Ltd, Inchinnan, Scotland) (Table 1).

Table 1 Criteria for choice of tube graft and subvalvular ring size
Full table

Next, we place six 2-0 coated polyester fibre pledgeted ‘U’ stitches circumferentially from inside out in the subvalvular plane, below the nadir of each cusp and at the base of each interleaflet triangle, except between the right and non-coronary sinuses where the stitch is placed externally to avoid a potential lesion to the bundle of His or membranous septum (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Six sub-valvular pledgeted polyester ‘U’ stitches pledgeted polyester needle are placed inside out circumferentially in the subvalvular plane. One stitch is placed 2 mm below the nadir of each cusp and one below each commissure at the base of the inter-leaflet triangles except at the level of the right-noncoronary commissure where it is placed externally in order to avoid lesions of the bundle of His and membranous septum.

The first step of the valve repair is performed before root reconstruction and consists of aligning the cusp free edges (Figure 2), with the non-fused cusp as the reference length. A polypropylene 5-0 or 6-0 stay suture is passed through each nodule of Arantius. A grasper pulls outwards on the corresponding commissure while the two stitches at the level of the nodules of Arantia are retracted in the opposite direction. The excess length of free edge is then determined. Any excess free margin length of the non-fused cusp is corrected through central plicating stitches (polypropylene 5-0 or 6-0) or cusp resection. Remodeling of the aortic root is standardized by scalloping the Valsalva graft into two symmetric neo-sinuses (placing the commissures at 180°). The heights of the scallops are cut up to the transition point between the circumferential and axial folds of the graft, appropriate for suturing the commissures at the correct level (Figure 3).

Figure 2 First step of cusp repair: alignment of cusp free edges. A stay suture of 6-0 polypropylene is passed through each nodule of Arantius. A grasper pulls outwards on the corresponding commissure while the two stitches at the level of the nodules are retracted on the opposite side. Excess length of the free edge is then determined. The same step is performed for the other hemi-cusp. The distance between the two stitches determines the area for the central plicating stitches or limited resection of a median raphe to equalize each hemi-cusp when the length exceeds 5 mm.

Figure 3 Remodeling of the aortic root is standardized by scalloping the tube graft into two symmetrical neo-sinuses with commissures at 180°. The heights of the scallops to suture the commissures are cut up to the transition point between circumferential and axial folds in the graft. Remodeling suturing (4-0 or 5-0 polypropylene) starts at the nadir of the sinus towards the hemi-sinus. In order to avoid commissural distortion, another running suture is commenced at the tip of the commissure towards the corresponding hemi-sinus.

The second step of cusp repair is performed after root reconstruction and consists of assessing the effective height according to the principle by Schäfers and colleagues (7). This involves use of a dedicated cusp caliper to evaluate any residual or induced cusp prolapse (Fehling Instruments, Karlstein, Germany) after placing a commissural traction suture at 180° in order to mimic a pressurized root. Plicating stitches are added on the free edge of the culprit leaflet only if the effective height is significantly lower than 9 mm; this is done to preserve the length of the non-fused cusp and maintain long term opening of the valve (Figure 4). The 6 anchoring ‘U’ stitches are passed through the inner aspect of the expansible aortic ring, which is seated externally around the new aortic root and tied in the subvalvular position (Figure 5). The left and right coronary ostia are then connected to the new root using a polypropylene 4-0 running suture in a standard fashion (Video 1).

Figure 4 Second step of cusp repair: commissural traction sutures are placed in order to measure the effective height of each cusp. The cusp caliper is used to evaluate any residual or induced cusp prolapse on the unfused cusp. Plicating stitches are added on the free edge of the culprit leaflet only if the effective height is significantly lower than 9 mm in order to preserve the length of the non-fused cusp to maintain long term opening of the valve. Realignment of the free edges of the cusps is then performed with plicating stitches.

Figure 5 The six anchoring ‘U’ stitches are then passed around the prosthetic aortic ring. The ring is brought down externally around the remodeled aortic root.

Bicuspid aortic valve with tubular ascending aneurysm and/or moderately dilated root (40–45 mm): supracoronary aortic replacement with aortic ring annuloplasty

This operation involves combination of techniques for isolated bicuspid AV repair and subvalvular annuloplasty with standard replacement of the ascending aorta. This is suitable where the root is <40 mm or with the addition of non-coronary sinus replacement in patients with a right-left bicuspid aortic valve with a supra-coronary aneurysm and moderately dilated root (40–45 mm). Replacement of the tubular aorta alone is only possible if the coronary ostia are lower than the STJ.

The first step in every case is the careful and systematic assessment of the valve and the root as above. Annular diameter is determined using Hegar dilators and the size of the ring and the Valsalva tube graft are chosen according to a standardized protocol (Table 1).

In the case of normal root geometry, an isolated AV repair with a sub-valvular ring is carried out, as described below, followed by replacement of the ascending aorta to the level of the innominate artery using a running polypropylene 4-0.

In the case of a right-left bicuspid AV with a supracoronary aneurysm and a moderately dilated root (40–45 mm), we opt to carry out hemi-root replacement at the level of non-coronary cusp (i.e., hemi remodeling). After full assessment of the valve as above, external dissection of the root is performed down to the subvalvular plane below the coronary arteries without detaching them. The wall of the non-coronary sinus is completely resected leaving a 2 mm aortic wall. Six ‘U’ stitches of 2-0 coated polyester fibre pledgeted sutures are placed as above for the subvalvular ring (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Six sub-valvular pledgeted polyester ‘U’ stitches are placed inside out circumferentially in the subvalvular plane. One stitch is placed 2mm below the nadir of each cusp and one below each commissure at the base of inter-leaflet triangles except at the level of the right-noncoronary commissure where it is placed externally in order to avoid lesions of the bundle of His and membranous septum.

The first step of valve repair is done before root reconstruction and consists of aligning the free edge of the cusp with the non-fused cusp as a reference. A polypropylene 5-0 or 6-0 stay suture is passed through each nodule of Arantius. A grasper pulls outwards on the corresponding commissure while the two stitches at the level of the nodules of Arantia are retracted in the opposite direction. The excess length of free edge is then determined. Any excess free margin length of the non-fused cusp is again corrected through central plicating stitches (polypropylene 5-0 or 6-0) or cusp resection (Figure 7). The bulged part of a Gelweave Valsalva graft (Gelweave Valsalva; Vascutek Ltd, Glasgow, UK) is scalloped to have one neo-sinus placing the commissure at 180° (Figure 8). The 5-0 polypropylene suture starts at the nadir of the non-coronary sinus and it continues towards the commissure up to half of the sinus, then another running suture is started at the tip of the commissure. In the case of asymmetric commissural orientation <170°, a plication of the sinus at the raphe level is added in order to improve the symmetrical design of the repair. Plication is performed from the external side with a couple of 2-0 coated polyester fibre ‘U’ pledgeted sutures from either side of the raphe (Figure 9). The first stitch is placed above the valve and the second above towards the STJ. Completion of sinotubular junction reconstruction is performed with the supracoronary anastomosis of the tube. Commissural traction stitches are placed and adequately pulled on the commissure at 180° to mimic a pressurized aortic root. The measurement of the effective height is performed on the only non-coronary cusp with a dedicated caliper (Fehling Instruments, Karlstein, Germany). Plicating stitches are added on the free edge of the culprit leaflet only if the effective height is significantly lower than 9 mm in order to preserve the length of the non-fused cusp and long term valvular opening (Figure 10). The open external aortic ring is placed under the coronary arteries as for the isolated AV repair (Figures 11,12). Replacement of the ascending aorta is performed to the level of the innominate artery using a running polypropylene 4-0 suture (Video 2).

Figure 7 After resection of the non-coronary sinus, the first step of cusp repair: alignment of cusp free edges. A 6-0 polypropylene stay suture is passed through each noduli of Arantius. a grasper pulls outwards on the corresponding commissure while the two stitches at the level of the noduli of Arantia are tracted on the opposite side. Excess of length of free edge is then determined. This same step is performed for the other hemi cusp. Distance between the two stitches determines the area for the central plicating stitches or limited resection of a median raphe to equalize each hemi-cusp when excess length is >5 mm (polypropylene 5 or 6-0).

Figure 8 In case of asymmetric commissural orientation <170°, a plication of the sinus at raphe level is added in order to improve the symmetrical design of the repair. Plication is performed from the external side with a couple of “U” stitches of 2-0 coated polyester fibre pledgeted sutures from either side of the raphe. The first stich is placed above the valve and the second above the first (toward the STJ).

Figure 9 Standardized scalloping of the tube graft into one neo-sinus with commissures at 180°. The heights of the scallops to suture the commissures to were cut up to the transition point between circumferential and axial folds in the graft. Suturing of the scallop is started at the nadir of the sinus towards half sinus. In order to avoid commissural distortion, another running suture is begun at the tip of the commissure towards the corresponding hemi-sinus (polypropylene 4.0 or 5.0).

Figure 10 Commissural traction sutures are placed in order to measure the effective height of each cusp. The cusp caliper is used to evaluate any residual or induced cusp prolapse on the un-fused cusp. Plicating central stitches are added on the free edge of this cusp until an effective height of 9 mm is obtained. Realignment of the free edges of the fused and unfused cusps is performed by plicating stitches.

Figure 11 Open external ring annuloplasty passed under the coronary arteries.

Figure 12 The six anchoring ‘U’ stitches are passed around the open aortic ring. The ring is closed at the level of the noncoronary sinus.

Isolated bicuspid aortic valve repair: double sub- and supravalvular external ring annuloplasty

The valve is systematically assessed as described above: geometric height, quality of the leaflets, annulus size and site of coronary ostia implantation with regard to the sinotubular junction are all examined. The native aortic annulus diameter is measured with Hegar dilators and the size of the annuloplasty rings used is based on the size of the dilator (Table 2). The aim is to downsize the ring by approximately one size (2 mm) compared to the Hegar measurement in order to perform an annuloplasty that will reduce the native annular diameter and increase the surface of coaptation.

Table 2 Criteria for choice of subvalvular aortic ring and sinotubular ring size
Full table

After full assessment, external dissection of the root is performed down to the subvalvular plane, passing below the coronary arteries without detaching them. The placement of subvalvular ‘U’ anchoring stitches for the ring annuloplasty is carried out as above using six 2-0 coated polyester fibre pledgeted sutures (Figure 13).

Figure 13 Six sub-valvular pledgeted polyester ‘U’ stitches are placed inside-out circumferentially in the subvalvular plane. One stitch is placed 2 mm below the nadir of each cusp and one below each commissure at the base of the inter-leaflet triangles, except at the level of the right-noncoronary commissure, where it is placed externally in order to avoid lesions of the bundle of His and membranous septum.

The first step of valve repair again involves alignment of the length of the free edge of the cusp along the non-fused cusp as a reference. A polypropylene 5-0 or 6-0 stay suture is passed through each nodule of Arantius. A grasper pulls outwards on the corresponding commissure while the two stitches at the level of the nodules are retracted in the opposite direction. The excess length of free edge is then determined. Any excess free margin length of the non-fused cusp is again corrected through central plicating stitches (polypropylene 5-0 or 6-0) or cusp resection (Figure 14).

Figure 14 Alignment of cusp free edges is performed. A 6-0 polypropylene stay suture is passed through each nodule of Arantius. A grasper pulls outwards on the corresponding commissure while the two stitches at the level of the nodule retracted on the opposite side. Excess length of free edge is then determined. The same step is performed for the other hemi-cusp. Distance between the two stitches determines the area for the central plicating stitches or limited resection of a median raphe to equalize each hemi-cusp if the length exceeds 5 mm.

In cases of asymmetric commissural orientation <170°, plication of the sinus at the level of the raphe is added in order to improve the symmetrical design of the repair (Figure 15). Plication is performed from the external side with a couple of ‘U’ 2-0 coated polyester fibre pledgeted sutures from either side of the raphe. The first stitch is placed above the valve and the second above the first (towards the STJ).

Figure 15 In cases of asymmetric commissural orientation <170°, plication of the sinus at the level of the raphe is added in order to improve the symmetrical design of the repair. Plication is performed from the external side with a couple of 2-0 coated polyester pledgeted ‘U sutures from either side of the raphe. The first stich is placed above the valve and the second above (towards the STJ).

STJ ring placement is performed using six threads of pledgeted 2-0 coated polyester fibre which are placed from the inside out as ‘U’ stitches circumferentially with a width of 3 mm. Commissures are placed symmetrically at 180° for the two functional commissures on the STJ ring using the expandable external aortic ring (ExtraAortic, CORONEO Inc). Other stiches are placed circumferentially, taking particular care to avoid any compression of the coronary ostia (Figure 16).

Figure 16 2-0 pledgeted polyester STJ sutures are placed circumferentially inside out. One stitch is placed a couple mm above each commissure and One stitch above each coronary ostia. Commissures are placed symmetrically at 180 for the two functional commissures on the STJ ring using the expandable external aortic ring.

Commissural traction sutures are then placed at 180° to mimic a pressurized aortic root in order to measure the effective height of each cusp. A dedicated cusp caliper is used to evaluate any residual or induced cusp prolapse (Fehling Instruments, Karlstein, Germany) according to the principle of Schäfers and colleagues (6). Plicating stitches are added on the free edge of the culprit leaflet until an effective height of 9 mm is obtained (Figure 17). Management of the valve defect is performed using either a glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardial patch or with a decellularized matrix patch such as CardioCel (Admedus Ltd).

Figure 17 Commissural traction sutures are placed in order to measure the effective height of each cusp. The cusp caliper is used to evaluate any residual or induced cusp prolapse on the un-fused cusp. Plicating central stitches are added on the free edge of this cusp until an effective height of 9 mm is obtained. Realignment of the free edges of the fused and unfused cusps is performed by plicating stitches.

Due to the current lack of an open version of the Extra aortic ring, the six anchoring ‘U’ stitches are passed around a 3 mm wide slice of a Dacron tube graft which is passed behind the right and left coronary arteries using right-angle blunt forceps. The ring is closed at the non-coronary sinus level. ‘U’ stitches are tied around the ring to secure it in a subvalvular position (Figure 18) (Video 3).

Figure 18 The six anchoring ‘U’ stitches are then passed around the open aortic ring. The ring is closed at the level of the non-coronary sinus.

Completion

The aortotomy is closed using a polypropylene 4-0 running suture, the heart is de-aired and cross-clamp removed. A postprocedural TOE is performed before weaning off CPB to assess valvular function, size of the annulus and STJ as well as the presence and severity of any AI.

We don’t accept any residual AI >1 and based on the TOE findings, we either: re-clamp and repair, replace again (in the case of an eccentric jet due to residual prolapse), or we downsize the subvalvular ring by placing extra sutures at the level of the non-coronary sinus in the case of a central jet with residual annular dilation. A final TOE check is carried out once the patient is weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass. We routinely obtain a pre-discharge TTE on all patients and again at three months postoperatively. Postoperative anticoagulation consists of aspirin (75 mg/day) for 3 months unless persistent atrial fibrillation had been present, in which case oral anticoagulation is used.

For further description of relevant techniques and surgical management for specific valvular lesions, please see http://www.aorticvalverepair.net/.

Comments

Clinical results

Our most recent experience with 191 BAV patients who underwent standardized repair based on the above described techniques demonstrated excellent long-term survival of >90% at 8 years. This is similar to an age- and sex-matched population. Furthermore, freedom from AV-related re-intervention was 98% for remodeling with annuloplasty (n=100) and 100% for tubular aortic replacement with annuloplasty (n=31) at 8 years. In the isolated AI group, freedom from AV-related re-intervention varies from 72.4% with single subvalvular annuloplasty ring (n=31) to 100% at 6 years when a double sub- and supravalvular annuloplasty ring (n=29) was performed. Recurrence of significant aortic incompetence (AI > II) only occurred in isolated repair with single ring annuloplasty, with overall freedom from AI of 86% at 6 years (61%, 100%, 100%, 100% for isolated AI with single ring, remodeling, ascending aortic repair and isolated AI with double ring respectively at 6 years).

Advantages

Bicuspid valve preservation can be associated with excellent long term results. Restoration of the annulus: STJ ratio is a key factor to ensure a long lasting bicuspid valve repair with excellent freedom from re-intervention. Depending on the phenotype of the ascending aorta, it may be performed through remodeling plus a ring, tubular aortic replacement plus a ring or a double ring annuloplasty.

Caveats

Experience with this technique remains limited and long term results will have to be studied as planned within the international AVIATOR registry from the Heart Valve Society (http://heartvalvesociety.org/AVIATOR/).

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: E Lansac has consultant agreements with CORONEO, Inc (www.coroneo.com) in connection with the development of an aortic ring bearing the trade name ‘Extra-Aortic’. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

References

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