Intravalvular implantation technique for aortic valve replacement in aortitis syndrome

Background, Paravalvular leakage is one of the most serious complications o f aortic valve replacement in patients with aortitis syndrome. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the intravalvular implant ation technique in preventing paravalvular leakage with that of the convent ional technique. Methods. Since 1982, 14 patients with aortic regurgitation caused by aortit is syndrome have undergone aortic valve replacement at our institute. An in travalvular implantation technique was applied in 7 of the 14 patients. The technique consists of suturing a prosthetic valve to the aortic annulus an d sandwiching the leaflets between exogenous felt pledgets and the inflamed aortic annulus. Results. Paravalvular leakage occurred in 3 of 7 patients in the convention ally treated group and in none of 7 in the intravalvular implantation group . Conclusions. The intravalvular implantation technique is effective in preve nting paravalvular leakage in patients with aortitis syndrome. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.