Residual root fate after aortic surgery in bicuspid aortic valve with right‐to‐left fusion: A comparative risk analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) anatomy might influence aortic aneurysm development, BAV‐related root involvement still lacks standardized surgical management. We aimed to evaluate late clinical outcomes and risk factors for root dilation after proximal aortic replacement in patients with BAV and right–left fusion (RL‐BAV). METHODS: Clinical and echocardiographic data of all patients with intraoperative RL‐BAV who underwent ascending aortic replacement with or without noncoronary sinus (NCS) replacement (Groups 1 and 2, respectively) between 1999 and 2017, were retrospectively revised. A multivariable analysis assessed hazard factors for root dilation during follow‐up (FU). RESULTS: Of 206 surgeries performed (M 81%; age: 57 ± 13 years, EuroSCORE II: 2.7 ± 1.9%), 79 (38%) required NCS replacement. One hundred fifty‐seven patients (76%) underwent aortic valve replacement (with aortic regurgitation predominating in Group 1, p = .04). The preoperative aortic root was larger in patients requiring NCS replacement (43.3 ± 5.1 vs. 39.2 ± 4.8 mm, p < .001). At a median FU time of 7 years (interquartile range: 4–10), no residual root dissections occurred, and only two patients (belonging to Group 2) required redo root surgery. Preoperative mild aortic regurgitation and aortic root diameter >35 mm at discharge were risk factors for root dilation >40 mm at FU (p = .02). Aortic root did not dilate over time, irrespective of NCS replacement (p = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic root in patients with RL‐BAV undergoing ascending aortic replacement (±NCS replacement) does not significantly dilate over time, even if patients with preoperative aortic regurgitation and postoperative root more than 35 mm might require more surveillance.