Review

Valve replacement options in the setting of an ascending aortic aneurysm

Stephen H McKellar

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

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Email the corresponding author at mckellar.stephen@mayo.edu

Thoralf M Sundt

† Author for correspondence

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

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Email the corresponding author at sundt.thoralf@mayo.edu

Published Online:6 Aug 2009https://doi.org/10.2217/fca.09.24

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Abstract

Aortic valve disease is frequently associated with proximal aortic aneurysmal disease. While, there are clear indications for aortic valve replacement, the ideal type of valve prosthesis, mechanical versus biologic remains controversial. This controversy becomes even more complex when the proximal aorta requires replacement as root replacement is more challenging and reoperative surgery following root replacement is even more so. In addition, not all proximal aortic aneurysms behave the same way; Marfan’s aneurysms behave more aggressively than non-Marfan’s aneurysms. The variance in aneurysm behavior mandates a clear understanding of the biology and consequent natural history of each patient’s aortic aneurysm. In this review, we discuss valve replacement options for patients requiring aortic valve replacement and concomitant proximal aortic replacement.

Keywords:

Papers of special note have been highlighted as: ▪ of interest ▪▪ of considerable interest

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Published online 6 August 2009

Published in print July 2009

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Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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