Intermediate-term durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair for prolapsing leaflet1

OBJECTIVE: To determine the durability of repair of a bicuspid aortic valve with leaflet prolapse, and to identify factors associated with repair failure. METHODS: From November 1988 to January 1997, 94 patients with a bicuspid aortic valve and regurgitation from leaflet prolapse had aortic valve repair. In 66 patients, the repair employed triangular resection of the prolapsing leaflet. The remainder underwent mid-leaflet plication of the prolapsing leaflet. Mean age was 38 +/- 10 years and 93% were male. Median follow-up was 5.5 years (range 0.2-9 years). Factors associated with aortic valve competence and durability were identified by multivariable logistic and hazard function analyses. RESULTS: Early valve competence was more difficult to achieve in patients with large, poor functioning ventricles (P = 0.02). Aortic valve reoperation was necessary in 12 patients that included three re-repairs and nine aortic valve replacements. Freedom from reoperation was 95, 87 and 84% at 1, 5 and 7 years, respectively. The instantaneous risk of reoperation was highest immediately after operation, and fell rapidly to approximately 2% per year and less after 2 years. The only risk factor identified was the presence of residual aortic regurgitation (trace to mild in 35 cases) on immediate intraoperative post-repair transesophageal echocardiography. Late aortic regurgitation did not progress detectably across time (P = 0.3). There were no deaths, early or late. CONCLUSION: Bicuspid aortic valve repair for prolapsing leaflet is a safe procedure with good intermediate-term outcome. However, any residual aortic regurgitation jeopardizes repair durability and initial repair achievement is more difficult in patients with dilated, poor functioning ventricles.