CONSERVATIVE SURGERY FOR RHEUMATIC AORTIC REGURGITATION

The mechanism of rheumatic aortic regurgitation is retraction of the t hree cusps leading to lack of coaptation. The authors describe a techn ique of aortic valve repair by extension of the cusps using autologous pericardium, undertaken in 52 patients (mean age 21 +/- 5 years) and report the short and medium term results. There were no operative deat hs or reoperation for technical failure. The postoperative echocardiog raphic examinations showed absent or minimal aortic regurgitation in 4 5 patients (87 %) and moderate regurgitation in 7 patients (13 %). The echocardiographic results at 2 years were stable : no patient was reo perated for deterioration of the valvuloplasty. This technique is repr oducible and reliable is selected patients.