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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;124:194-195
© 2002 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Brief Communications |
From the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Received for publication Oct 10, 2001. Accepted for publication Jan 7, 2002. Address for reprints: Chiung-Lun Kao, MD, Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, 123, Ta-Pei Rd, Niao Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan, Republic of China (E-mail: c9112772{at}adm.cgmh.org.tw).
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Clinical summary
The patient was a 41-year-old man with a history of completely treated streptococcal infective endocarditis 3 years previously. The chest radiograph revealed moderate cardiomegaly, and the electrocardiogram showed left ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiography demonstrated severe aortic regurgitation and a dilated left ventricle.
The operation was performed with moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and antegrade cardioplegia. The pericardium was incised along the right mediastinal margin to make a pedicled rectangular flap. The flap was rolled up and sutured with interrupted absorbable stitches to construct a conduit with a diameter of 25 mm. The caudal margin of the conduit was folded upward for 10 mm. The upper margin of the inner layer was secured to the outer layer at three equidistant points, to become the future valve commissures (Figure 1).
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Discussion
Currently, indications for the Ross procedure are expanding. Autografts show excellent longevity, clear hemodynamic superiority, infection resistance, and freedom from anticoagulation. These characteristics are attractive, even though the procedure is complex and time-consuming. A pulmonary homograft is accepted worldwide as the material most useful for the RVOT reconstruction in Ross procedure. Although a pulmonary homograft is preferred and lasts longer in the pulmonary position, replacement nevertheless will be needed. Furthermore, developing countries where homografts are not available do not currently have an acceptable alternative. To circumvent those problems, numerous types of conduits have been developed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, to connect the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.
Most of these alternatives are composite grafts of autologous tissue and artificial materials (polytetrafluoroethylene) or porcine bioprostheses.
1-6 They have their own limitations with respect to growth potential or valvular competency. In contrast, the APPVC seems to circumvent these problems in most cases.
Our technique does raise several issues. First, the use of autologous pedicled pericardial conduit is important. It has been reported that RVOT reconstruction with autologous pedicled pericardium is useful to prevent late stenosis, because the pedicled pericardium is more pliable and less fibrotic.
8 Therefore this conduit is expected to have good longevity. Another issue is the role of the pericardial tricuspid valve. Usually, a tricuspid valve is considered more effective than a monocuspid valve in preventing pulmonary regurgitation. To avoid cusp adhesion to the conduit wall, we used no prosthetic material. Therefore the pericardial flap should be as long as possible, and potential growth of the valved conduit may be expected.
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In conclusion, we emphasize that the APPVC may be a good alternative for RVOT reconstruction in the Ross procedure. It provides the expectation of a functioning tricuspid pericardial valve, prevention of late stenosis, and potential conduit growth.
References
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W. M. Novick, D. Anic, A. Lora Solf, M. Arboleda Torres, I. Nino De Guzman Leon, R. W. Reid, and T. G. Di Sessa Medtronic freestyle valve for right ventricular reconstruction in pediatric ross operations Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2004; 77(5): 1711 - 1716. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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