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(Circulation. 1970;41:623.)
© 1970 American Heart Association, Inc.

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Aortic Valve Surgery as an Emergency Procedure

ADOLPH M. HUTTER JR. M.D.¹; ROMAN W. DE SANCTIS M.D.¹; MARTIN J. NATHAN M.D.¹; MORTIMER J. BUCKLEY M.D.¹; ELDRED D. MUNDTH M.D.¹; WILLARD M. DAGGETT M.D.¹; W. GERALD AUSTEN M.D.¹

¹ From the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Harvard Medical School, and the General Medical and Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Twenty-three patients critically ill from aortic valvular disease underwent emergency aortic valve replacement as a life-saving measure. Sixteen patients (70%) survived hospitalization and 14 (61%) are presently living. Of eighteen patients who underwent solitary aortic valve replacement, there were four hospital deaths and two late deaths. Five patients required double valve surgery, with three hospital deaths and no late deaths. The survivors often had dramatic improvement and have done well during an average follow-up period of 9 months. The major factor contributing to mortality after surgery was irreversible myocardial damage particularly evident in patients with longstanding severe valvular disease. Valve replacement can be successfully accomplished in patients critically ill with aortic valve disease, especially if it occurs as an isolated lesion.

Key Words: Aortic valve surgery • Myocardial damage • Veno-arterial bypass

Submitted on October 7, 1969
Accepted on December 18, 1969

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