Replacement of calcified ascending aorta in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) with an extensively calcified ascending aorta is a growing indication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) because aortic manipulation during surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is unsafe in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of AVR plus ascending aorta replacement (AAR) in patients with severe AS and a heavily calcified ascending aorta. Methods: From 2004 to 2014, a total of 32 patients with severe AS and extensive aortic calcification underwent concomitant first-time AVR and AAR (AVR + AAR). The mean patient age was 74±7 (range, 59–87) years, and 7 (22%) patients were octogenarians. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 21.4%±19.0% (range, 3.3–68.2%). Arterial cannulae were placed at the ascending aorta (n=26, 81%), aortic arch (n=5, 16%), or axillary artery (n=1, 3%). The aorta was not clamped, and circulatory arrest was used in all patients. One-to-many (1:n) propensity score matching between the study population (AVR + AAR, n=29) and control group (isolated AVR for severe AS, n=433) was performed. Results: There was no early mortality in the study population. Postoperative neurologic complications included a minor stroke, which resolved without sequelae at discharge, and a transient ischemic attack. The 5-year survival rate was 83%±9%. In the propensity score-matched comparison, 5-year survival was not significantly different between groups; 81%±10% in the AVR + AAR group vs . 87%±2% in the isolated AVR group (P=0.950). Conclusions: Surgical AVR with AAR in AS patients with calcified ascending aortas led to acceptable early and late outcomes. Although the applications for TAVI are growing, a surgical approach may be an alternative option for relatively younger patients with severely calcified aorta.