Commentary: Aortic root enlargement—optimizing for today and preparing for the future

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Elizabeth L. Norton, Emory University; Kendra Grubb, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-04-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xjtc.2022.02.010
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JTCVS Techniques
• Volume: 12
• Start Page: 37
• End Page: 38
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Bioprosthetic aortic valves now account for >85% of surgical aortic valve replacements (SAVRs).1 However, valve durability is one of the major limitations one must consider in the lifetime management of patients with valvular heart disease. As the initial valves fail, reintervention including redo-SAVR and valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are options. Gaining in popularity, especially in older patients, VIV-TAVR is always limited by the initial surgical valve frame. Thus, optimizing the first implant with the largest valve serves to establish a feasible platform for future VIV-TAVR.