Results of surgical treatment in patients with aortic valve disease and concomitant ascending aorta dilatation: a comparison of the Ross procedure and the Bentall-Debono operation

Objective. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the results of the Ross procedure and Bentall-deBono operation in patients with aortic valve disease and concomitant ascending aorta dilatation. Methods. The patients with aortic valve disease and ascending aorta dilatation >45 mm were included in this stud. 76 patients underwent the Ross procedure, 47 - the Bentall-deBono operation. While using a «propensity score matching» method, two groups were formed (42 patients in each group): group I (Ross procedure) and group II (Bentall-deBono operation). Median follow-up in group I was 24 (12; 35) months, in group II - 21 (14; 25) months (p = 0.27). A comparison was then made between surgery outcomes and quality of life. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in early mortality, morbidity and survival. The freedom from valve-related events was 95.1±3.4% in group I and 76.2±8.2% in group II (p = 0.08). The freedom from prosthesis dysfunction for group I and II was 91.0±5.0% and 97.4±2.6%, respectively (p = 0.3). The quality of life was higher in group I. SF-36 questionnaire revealed significant differences in physical functioning: 85 (72.5; 90) in Group I and 80 (65; 85) in Group II, p = 0.02 and mental health: 80 (70; 84) in Group I and 68 (64; 76) in Group II, p = 0.02. Conclusion. Hence, the Ross procedure is a safe method in patients with aortic valve disease and concomitant ascending aorta dilatation. The quality of life after the Ross procedure is higher in comparison with that of the Bentall-deBono operation.