Selected Therapy for Ascending Aortic Aneurysms

Abstract

• Since 1971, ten patients, 26 to 62 years of age, have undergone repair of ascending aortic aneurysms with concomitant aortic insufficiency. Three patients had Marfan's syndrome, five patients had cystic medial necrosis, one had luetic aortitis, and one had atherosclerotic involvement of the aorta. There was one operative death. Follow-up exceeds seven years. Because of the tendency for progressive annular and sinus dilation in Marfan's syndrome, composite graft and valve conduits with reimplantation of the coronary arteries is the procedure of choice. In selected patients with annuloaortic ectasia, good valve tissue and no sinus dilation, bicuspidization of the valve, and replacement of the ascending aorta is indicated. The operation is generally less formidable than composite graft replacement, maintains normal coronary anatomy, and alleviates the long-term risks of anticoagulation. (Arch Surg 113:1324-1330, 1978)