The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Bicuspid aortic valve repair by complete conversion from "raphe'd" (type 1) to "symmetric" (type 0) morphology.
An anterior cusp with a median raphe and false commissure is the most common bicuspid aortic valve phenotype. The cusp is typically restricted and its annular attachment malpositioned, often resulting in significant aortic regurgitation. A novel valve repair strategy was designed to create a symmetric valve to improve both function and durability. ⋯ Repair of the common, "raphe'd" bicuspid phenotype by reconfiguration into "symmetric" morphology is both feasible and desirable, regardless of the degree of preoperative aortic regurgitation. This repair strategy appears durable at the mid-term without evolving signs of deterioration or stenosis, offering a potentially superior option over prosthetic root replacement for younger patients.