IntroductionReplacement of the aortic valve in patients with a small aortic annulus is associated
with increased morbidity and mortality. A prosthesis-patient mismatch is one of the main
problems associated with failed valves in this patient population.ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term mortality predictors in patients with a small aortic annulus
undergoing aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, a total of 101 patients undergoing aortic
valve replacement from January 2000 to December 2010 were studied. There were 81
(80.19%) women with a mean age of 52.81±18.4 years. Severe aortic stenosis was
the main indication for surgery in 54 (53.4%) patients. Posterior annulus enlargement
was performed in 16 (15.8%) patients. Overall, 54 (53.41%) patients underwent
concomitant surgery: 28 (27.5%) underwent mitral valve replacement, and 13 (12.7%)
underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery.ResultsMean valve index was 0.82±0.08 cm2/m2. Overall, 17
(16.83%) patients had a valve index lower than 0.75 cm2/m2,
without statistical significance for mortality (P=0.12). The overall
10-year survival rate was 83.17%. The rate for patients who underwent isolated aortic
valve replacement was 91.3% and 73.1% (P=0.02) for patients who
underwent concomitant surgery. In the univariate analysis, the main predictors of
mortality were preoperative ejection fraction (P=0.02; HR 0.01) and
EuroSCORE II results (P=0.00000042; HR 1.13). In the multivariate
analysis, the main predictors of mortality were age (P=0.01, HR 1.04)
and concomitant surgery (P=0.01, HR 5.04). Those relationships were
statistically significant.ConclusionA valve index of < 0.75 cm2/m2 did not affect 10-year
survival. However, concomitant surgery and age significantly affected mortality.