Long-term results of apico-aortic valved conduit - for severe idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

We report our long-term results of apico-aortic conduit implantation in patients with isolated idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Between December 1977 and July 1983, apico-aortic prosthetic-valved conduits were implanted in 4 such patients (age range, 24-65 years) who had severe left ventricular hypertrophy and small left ventricular chambers. In this procedure, the distal end of the conduit was anastomosed to the ascending aorta in 3 patients and to the upper abdominal aorta in 1. Postoperative echocardiography showed relief of the left ventricle-aortic gradient and enlargement of the left ventricular chamber in all cases. One patient died of perioperative wound infection. One patient died of unnatural causes 13 years after the initial operation; in his case, the conduit was known to be occluded. Two patients are alive 15 and 19 years, respectively, after the initial operation. Three instances of conduit obstruction due to bioprosthetic calcification were observed. Despite the high incidence of reoperation due to conduit valve failure, apico-aortic conduit implantation has produced good hemodynamic outcome and has improved the quality of life in patients who have idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and anatomic features unsuitable for Morrow's operation. Improvements in bioprostheses and in apical implantation techniques may allow a revival of apico-aortic conduit implantation in selected patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.