Aortic Valve Preservation

Aortic Valve Preservation

Aortic valve preservation surgery describes a group of procedures that aim to reconstruct a patients’ own valvular tissue to restore function, rather than simply perform a valve replacement. This includes a variety of procedures including aortic valve repair, valve sparing root replacement (VSRR), and the Ross procedure. These interventions aim to restore the “living valve aortic complex”, which we believe offers many advantages to patients. By avoiding aortic valve replacement (with either a biologic or mechanical valve), patients avoid the need for long-term anticoagulation, decrease the risk of prosthetic valve degeneration, and avoid potential prosthetic valve infection (endocarditis). There is also suggestion that patients live longer after valve sparing procedures than with valve replacement, which is especially pronounced in younger patients. In fact, studies have shown that nearly 1 in 5 patients younger than age 65 either are deceased or require reoperation on the aortic valve within 10 years following mechanical aortic valve replacement¹. At the University of Washington, we offer solutions to restore the living valve complex for both aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis.

Aortic Valve Preservation Presentation

Aortic Valve Repair

Aortic valve repair techniques have undergone significant refinement in the past decade. The basic tenets of valve repair are annular reduction (annuloplasty) and leaflet repair. These techniques results in reliable repair of many valves that are leaky (aortic regurgitation). This helps restore function of the valve while minimizing need for anticoagulation or risk of prosthetic valve degeneration.