AORTIC VULVULOPLASTY IN ACQUIRED VALVULAR HEART-DISEASE

On the basis of the results of studying the morphology, biomechanics, and physiology of the aortic root and the cusps of the aortic valve th e authors suggest a substantiated set of surgical manipulations which allow the patient's natural valve to be preserved. Coarse calcinosis o f the cusps and fibrous ring of the aortic root is the only absolute c ontraindication for valvuloplasty. The authors' clinical experience co nsists of the first 100 operations. Hospital mortality - 8.0 %. With i ntraoperative appraisal of hemodynamics, good correction of the abnorm ality was achieved practically in all patients. The maximal follow-up period by April, 1991 was 5.5 years. During that period four patients were again subjected to operation because aortic insufficiency recurre d. The authors recommend their experience with plastic operations on t he aortic valve for wide clinical application.