Aortic valve reconstruction surgery using autologous pericardium: The experience in Vietnam

Objective The study aimed to evaluate the indications and describe the aortic valve reconstruction techniques by Ozaki's procedure in Vietnam and report mid‐term outcomes of this technique in Vietnam. Methods Between June 2017 and December 2019, 72 patients diagnosed with isolated aortic valve disease, with a mean age of 52.9 (19–79 years old), and a male:female ratio of 3:1 underwent aortic valve reconstruction surgery by Ozaki's technique at Cardiovascular Center, E Hospital, Vietnam. Results The aortic valve diseases consisted of aortic stenosis (42%), aortic regurgitation (28%), and a combination of both (30%). In addition, the proportion of aortic valves with bicuspid morphology and small annulus (≤21 mm) was 28% and 38.9%, respectively. The mean aortic cross‐clamp time was 106 ± 13.8 min, mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 136.7 ± 18.5 min, and 2.8% of all patients required conversion to prosthetic valve replacement surgery. The mean follow‐up time was 26.4 months (12–42 months), the survival rate was 95.8%, the reoperation rate was 2.8%, and rate of postoperative moderate or higher aortic valve regurgitation was 4.2%. Postoperative valvular hemodynamics was favorable, with a peak pressure gradient of 16.1 mmHg and an effective orifice area index of 2.3 cm 2 . Conclusions This procedure was safe and effective, with favorable valvular hemodynamics and a low rate of valvular degeneration. However, more long‐term follow‐up data are needed.