A New Simple and Objective Method for Graft Sizing in Valve-Sparing Root Replacement Using the Reimplantation Technique

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 92; no. 2; pp. 749 - 751
• Main Authors: de Kerchove, Laurent, MD, Boodhwani, Munir, MD, MMSc, Glineur, David, MD, Noirhomme, Philippe, MD, El Khoury, Gebrine, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-08-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Aorta - surgery; Aortic Valve - abnormalities; Aortic Valve - surgery; Aortic Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pneumology; Prosthesis Design; Prosthesis Fitting - methods; Replantation - methods; Sinus of Valsalva - surgery; Surgery; 26; Root; Replacement; Method; Objective; Treatment; Surgery; Anesthesia; Graft; Valve; Circulatory system; Technique; Cardiology; Replantation
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.03.015

The methods of graft sizing in valve-sparing surgery are criticized for their complexity and subjectivity in application. We propose a simple method for graft sizing in valve-sparing root replacement using the reimplantation technique. Practically, the height of the commissure between the noncoronary cusp and the left coronary cusp give the size of the graft. This new method of graft sizing was successfully applied in the last 27 consecutive patients with good immediate results. Graft sizing with this objective and reproducible simple method results in restoration of normal aortic valve geometry and function.