Early Outcome Of Patients Undergoing Neopericardium Aortic Valve Repair (Ozaki) Versus Aortic Valve Replacement By Tissue Bioprosthetic Valve

Abstract

Background: The Ozaki method, a very recent surgical modality first performed in Japan, involves the creation of new aortic valve leaflets from either autologous pericardium (covering the patient’s own heart) or bovine pericardium (covering the cow’s heart).

Aim: The objective of this study was to contrast the early results of patients receiving autologous pericardium therapy using glutaraldehyde for an aortic valve neocuspidization (Ozaki method) with those of individuals having bioprosthetic tissue valve replacement for aortic replacement of the valve.

Methods: This randomized study included 40 adult patients aged > 18 years. Twenty patients underwent aortic valve neocuspidization using the Ozaki technique, while the other 20 underwent bioprosthetic tissue valve replacement. Patients were recruited from Cairo University-affiliated hospitals between May 2021 and January 2022.

Results: A statistically significant variation in ejection fraction (EF) was seen between both groups during postoperative echocardiography. The end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular diameters (EDD and ESD), ICU stay, and total hospital stay did not differ significantly across the groups. The intraoperative data, which included the overall operation duration, bypass time, and cross-clamp time, showed notable variations.

Conclusion: For some individuals with aortic valve dysfunction, aortic valve neocuspidization with the Ozaki technique could be a good substitute for standard valve replacement surgery.