|
|
||||||||||
|
J Am Coll Cardiol, 2001; 37:885-892 © 2001 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation |






* Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
Manuscript received July 28, 2000; revised manuscript received October 16, 2000, accepted November 29, 2000.
Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Fred H. Edwards, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, 653-2 West Eighth Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209-6511
fhe{at}mediaone.net
OBJECTIVES
We sought to develop national benchmarks for valve replacement surgery by developing statistical risk models of operative mortality.
BACKGROUND
National risk models for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) have gained widespread acceptance, but there are no similar models for valve replacement surgery.
METHODS
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database was used to identify risk factors associated with valve surgery from 1994 through 1997. The population was drawn from 49,073 patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) or mitral valve replacement (MVR) and from 43,463 patients undergoing CABG combined with AVR or MVR. Two multivariable risk models were developed: one for isolated AVR or MVR and one for CABG plus AVR or CABG plus MVR.
RESULTS
Operative mortality rates for AVR, MVR, combined CABG/AVR and combined CABG/MVR were 4.00%, 6.04%, 6.80% and 13.29%, respectively. The strongest independent risk factors were emergency/salvage procedures, recent infarction, reoperations and renal failure. The c-indexes were 0.77 and 0.74 for the isolated valve replacement and combined CABG/valve replacement models, respectively. These models retained their predictive accuracy when applied to a prospective patient population undergoing operation from 1998 to 1999. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic was 10.6 (p = 0.225) for the isolated valve replacement model and 12.2 (p = 0.141) for the CABG/valve replacement model.
CONCLUSIONS
Statistical models have been developed to accurately predict operative mortality after valve replacement surgery. These models can be used to enhance quality by providing a national benchmark for valve replacement surgery.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
P. T.L. Chiam and C. E. Ruiz Percutaneous Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Assessing Results, Judging Outcomes, and Planning Trials: The Interventionalist Perspective J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. Intv., August 1, 2008; 1(4): 341 - 350. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Filsoufi, J. Chikwe, J. G. Castillo, P. B. Rahmanian, J. Vassalotti, and D. H. Adams Prosthesis type has minimal impact on survival after valve surgery in patients with moderate to end-stage renal failure Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., July 7, 2008; (2008) gfn337v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Vahanian, O. R. Alfieri, N. Al-Attar, M. J. Antunes, J. Bax, B. Cormier, A. Cribier, P. De Jaegere, G. Fournial, A. P. Kappetein, et al. Transcatheter valve implantation for patients with aortic stenosis: a position statement from the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2008; 34(1): 1 - 8. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. K. Song, J. D. Grab, S. M. O'Brien, K. F. Welke, F. Edwards, and R. M. Ungerleider Gender differences in mortality after mitral valve operation: evidence for higher mortality in perimenopausal women. Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2008; 85(6): 2040 - 2045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Vahanian, O. Alfieri, N. Al-Attar, M. Antunes, J. Bax, B. Cormier, A. Cribier, P. De Jaegere, G. Fournial, A. P. Kappetein, et al. Transcatheter valve implantation for patients with aortic stenosis: a position statement from the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) Eur. Heart J., June 1, 2008; 29(11): 1463 - 1470. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. M. Fedoruk, H. Wang, M. R. Conaway, I. L. Kron, and K. C. Johnston Statin therapy improves outcomes after valvular heart surgery. Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2008; 85(5): 1521 - 1525. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Nozohoor, J. Nilsson, C. Luhrs, A. Roijer, and J. Sjogren Influence of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch on Diastolic Heart Failure After Aortic Valve Replacement Ann. Thorac. Surg., April 1, 2008; 85(4): 1310 - 1317. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Iung Management of the elderly patient with aortic stenosis Heart, April 1, 2008; 94(4): 519 - 524. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. K. Rosengart, T. Feldman, M. A. Borger, T. A. Vassiliades Jr, A. M. Gillinov, K. J. Hoercher, A. Vahanian, R. O. Bonow, and W. O'Neill Percutaneous and Minimally Invasive Valve Procedures: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, Council on Clinical Cardiology, Functional Genomics and Translational Biology Interdisciplinary Working Group, and Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group Circulation, April 1, 2008; 117(13): 1750 - 1767. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. van Gameren, A. P. Kappetein, E. W. Steyerberg, A. C. Venema, E. A.J. Berenschot, E. L. Hannan, A. J.J.C. Bogers, and J. J.M. Takkenberg Do We Need Separate Risk Stratification Models for Hospital Mortality After Heart Valve Surgery? Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2008; 85(3): 921 - 930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. H. Mehta, J. D. Grab, S. M. O'Brien, D. D. Glower, C. K. Haan, J. S. Gammie, E. D. Peterson, and on Behalf of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Nati Clinical Characteristics and In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Insights From the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database Circulation, February 19, 2008; 117(7): 876 - 885. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. D. Desai and G. T. Christakis Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement: Stented Pericardial and Porcine Valves Card. Surg. Adult, January 1, 2008; 3(2008): 857 - 894. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
T. Gudbjartsson, T. Absi, and S. Aranki Mitral Valve Replacement Card. Surg. Adult, January 1, 2008; 3(2008): 1031 - 1068. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
T. Feldman and M. B. Leon Prospects for Percutaneous Valve Therapies Circulation, December 11, 2007; 116(24): 2866 - 2877. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J.-L. Monin, M. Monchi, M. E.W. Kirsch, H. Petit-Eisenmann, S. Baleynaud, C. Chauvel, D. Metz, C. Adams, J.-P. Quere, P. Gueret, et al. Low-gradient aortic stenosis: impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch on survival Eur. Heart J., November 1, 2007; 28(21): 2620 - 2626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. S. Kalkat, M.-B. Edwards, K. M. Taylor, and R. S. Bonser Composite Aortic Valve Graft Replacement: Mortality Outcomes in a National Registry Circulation, September 11, 2007; 116(11_suppl): I-301 - I-306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. L. Grover, J. E. Mayer Jr, N. Kouchoukos, R. Guyton, F. Edwards, and J. Bavaria Letter by Grover et al Regarding Article, "Percutaneous Implantation of the CoreValve Self-Expanding Valve Prosthesis in High-Risk Patients With Aortic Valve Disease: The Siegburg First-in-Man Study" Circulation, June 5, 2007; 115(22): e612 - e612. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. B. Vanky, E. Hakanson, and R. Svedjeholm Long-Term Consequences of Postoperative Heart Failure After Surgery for Aortic Stenosis Compared With Coronary Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2007; 83(6): 2036 - 2043. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Kuduvalli, A. D. Grayson, J. Au, G. Grotte, B. Bridgewater, B. M. Fabri, and on behalf of the North West Quality Improvement Pr A multi-centre additive and logistic risk model for in-hospital mortality following aortic valve replacement Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., April 1, 2007; 31(4): 607 - 613. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. M. Shahian, F. H. Edwards, V. A. Ferraris, C. K. Haan, J. B. Rich, S.-L. T. Normand, E. R. DeLong, S. M. O'Brien, C. M. Shewan, R. S. Dokholyan, et al. Quality Measurement in Adult Cardiac Surgery: Part 1--Conceptual Framework and Measure Selection Ann. Thorac. Surg., April 1, 2007; 83(4_Supplement): S3 - S12. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. L. Hannan, C. Wu, E. V. Bennett, R. E. Carlson, A. T. Culliford, J. P. Gold, R. S.D. Higgins, C. R. Smith, and R. H. Jones Risk Index for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality for Cardiac Valve Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2007; 83(3): 921 - 929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. S. Gammie, S. M. O'Brien, B. P. Griffith, T. B. Ferguson, and E. D. Peterson Influence of Hospital Procedural Volume on Care Process and Mortality for Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery for Mitral Regurgitation Circulation, February 20, 2007; 115(7): 881 - 887. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Boku, M. Masuda, M. Eto, T. Nishida, S. Morita, and R. Tominaga Risk Evaluation and Midterm Outcome of Cardiac Surgery in Patients on Dialysis Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, February 1, 2007; 15(1): 19 - 23. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Authors/Task Force Members, A. Vahanian, H. Baumgartner, J. Bax, E. Butchart, R. Dion, G. Filippatos, F. Flachskampf, R. Hall, B. Iung, et al. Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease: The Task Force on the Management of Valvular Heart Disease of the European Society of Cardiology Eur. Heart J., January 26, 2007; (2007) ehl428v1. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. H. Mehta, J. D. Grab, S. M. O'Brien, C. R. Bridges, J. S. Gammie, C. K. Haan, T. B. Ferguson, E. D. Peterson, and for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Card Bedside Tool for Predicting the Risk of Postoperative Dialysis in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Circulation, November 21, 2006; 114(21): 2208 - 2216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. Florath, A. Albert, W. Hassanein, B. Arnrich, U. Rosendahl, I. C. Ennker, and J. Ennker Current determinants of 30-day and 3-month mortality in over 2000 aortic valve replacements: impact of routine laboratory parameters Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., November 1, 2006; 30(5): 716 - 721. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. O. Bonow, B. A. Carabello, K. Chatterjee, A. C. de Leon Jr, D. P. Faxon, M. D. Freed, W. H. Gaasch, B. W. Lytle, R. A. Nishimura, P. T. O'Gara, et al. ACC/AHA 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 1998 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease) Developed in Collaboration With the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 1, 2006; 48(3): e1 - e148. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. O. Bonow, B. A. Carabello, K. Chatterjee, A. C. de Leon Jr, D. P. Faxon, M. D. Freed, W. H. Gaasch, B. W. Lytle, R. A. Nishimura, P. T. O'Gara, et al. ACC/AHA 2006 Practice Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 1998 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease) Developed in Collaboration With the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 1, 2006; 48(3): 598 - 675. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. S. Gammie, J. W. Brown, J. M. Brown, R. S. Poston, R. N. Pierson III, P. N. Odonkor, C. S. White, J. S. Gottdiener, and B. P. Griffith Aortic valve bypass for the high-risk patient with aortic stenosis. Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2006; 81(5): 1605 - 1610. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Cladellas, J. Bruguera, J. Comin, J. Vila, E. de Jaime, J. Marti, and M. Gomez Is pre-operative anaemia a risk marker for in-hospital mortality and morbidity after valve replacement? Eur. Heart J., May 1, 2006; 27(9): 1093 - 1099. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. Chan, W.R. E. Jamieson, A. G. Fleisher, D. Denmark, F. Chan, and E. Germann Valve Replacement Surgery in End-Stage Renal Failure: Mechanical Prostheses Versus Bioprostheses. Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2006; 81(3): 857 - 862. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Iung, A. Cachier, G. Baron, D. Messika-Zeitoun, F. Delahaye, P. Tornos, C. Gohlke-Barwolf, E. Boersma, P. Ravaud, and A. Vahanian Decision-making in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis: why are so many denied surgery? Eur. Heart J., December 2, 2005; 26(24): 2714 - 2720. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. S. Gammie, S. M. O'Brien, B. P. Griffith, and E. D. Peterson Surgical Treatment of Mitral Valve Endocarditis in North America Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2005; 80(6): 2199 - 2204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. R. Nowicki What is the Future of Mortality Prediction Models in Heart Valve Surgery? Ann. Thorac. Surg., August 1, 2005; 80(2): 396 - 398. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Jin, G. L. Grunkemeier, A. Starr, and Providence Health System Cardiovascular Study Grou Validation and Refinement of Mortality Risk Models for Heart Valve Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., August 1, 2005; 80(2): 471 - 479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Ambler, R. Z. Omar, P. Royston, R. Kinsman, B. E. Keogh, and K. M. Taylor Generic, Simple Risk Stratification Model for Heart Valve Surgery Circulation, July 12, 2005; 112(2): 224 - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Bekeredjian and P. A. Grayburn Valvular Heart Disease: Aortic Regurgitation Circulation, July 5, 2005; 112(1): 125 - 134. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. K. Toumpoulis, C. E. Anagnostopoulos, S. K. Toumpoulis, J. J. DeRose Jr, and D. G. Swistel EuroSCORE Predicts Long-Term Mortality After Heart Valve Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2005; 79(6): 1902 - 1908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. H. Edwards, V. A. Ferraris, D. M. Shahian, E. Peterson, A. P. Furnary, C. K. Haan, and C. R. Bridges Gender-Specific Practice Guidelines for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Perioperative Management Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2005; 79(6): 2189 - 2194. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. A. Vassiliades Jr, P. C. Block, L. H. Cohn, D. H. Adams, J. S. Borer, T. Feldman, D. R. Holmes, W. K. Laskey, B. W. Lytle, M. J. Mack, et al. The Clinical Development of Percutaneous Heart Valve Technology: A Position Statement of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Endorsed by the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 3, 2005; 45(9): 1554 - 1560. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) a, T. A. Vassiliades Jr, P. C. Block, L. H. Cohn, D. H. Adams, J. S. Borer, T. Feldman, D. R. Holmes, W. K. Laskey, B. W. Lytle, et al. The clinical development of percutaneous heart valve technology: A position statement of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., May 1, 2005; 129(5): 970 - 976. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. A. Vassiliades Jr, P. C. Block, L. H. Cohn, D. H. Adams, J. S. Borer, T. Feldman, D. R. Holmes, W. K. Laskey, B. W. Lytle, M. J. Mack, et al. The Clinical Development of Percutaneous Heart Valve Technology: A Position Statement of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2005; 79(5): 1812 - 1818. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. M. Ho, F. A. Masoudi, J. A. Spertus, P. N. Peterson, A. L. Shroyer, M. McCarthy Jr, F. L. Grover, K. E. Hammermeister, and J. S. Rumsfeld Depression Predicts Mortality Following Cardiac Valve Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., April 1, 2005; 79(4): 1255 - 1259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. E. Taylor, S. O'Brien, F. H. Edwards, E. D. Peterson, and C. R. Bridges Relationship Between Race and Mortality and Morbidity After Valve Replacement Surgery Circulation, March 15, 2005; 111(10): 1305 - 1312. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. G. Fuster, J. A. M. Argudo, O. G. Albarova, F. H. Sos, S. C. Lopez, M. B. Codoner, J. A. B. Minano, and I. R. Albarran Patient-prosthesis mismatch in aortic valve replacement: really tolerable? Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., March 1, 2005; 27(3): 441 - 449. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. G. Byrne, M. Leacche, D. Unic, J. D. Rawn, D. I. Simon, C. D. Rogers, and L. H. Cohn Staged initial percutaneous coronary intervention followed by valve surgery ("hybrid approach") for patients with complex coronary and valve disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 4, 2005; 45(1): 14 - 18. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Lim, J. L. Monin, M. Monchi, J. Garot, A. Pasquet, L. Hittinger, J. L. Vanoverschelde, A. Carayon, and P. Gueret Predictors of outcome in patients with severe aortic stenosis and normal left ventricular function: role of B-type natriuretic peptide Eur. Heart J., November 2, 2004; 25(22): 2048 - 2053. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. M. Shahian, E. H. Blackstone, F. H. Edwards, F. L. Grover, G. L. Grunkemeier, D. C. Naftel, S. A.M. Nashef, W. C. Nugent, and E. D. Peterson Cardiac Surgery Risk Models: A Position Article Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2004; 78(5): 1868 - 1877. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Enriquez-Sarano and A. J. Tajik Aortic Regurgitation N. Engl. J. Med., October 7, 2004; 351(15): 1539 - 1546. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Langer, D. Aicher, A. Kissinger, O. Wendler, H. Lausberg, R. Fries, and H.-J. Schafers Aortic Valve Repair Using a Differentiated Surgical Strategy Circulation, September 14, 2004; 110(11_suppl_1): II-67 - II-73. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. S. Collins, A. Evangelista, C. A. Nienaber, E. Bossone, J. Fang, J. V. Cooper, D. E. Smith, P. T. O'Gara, T. Myrmel, D. Gilon, et al. Differences in Clinical Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection in Patients With and Without Previous Cardiac Surgery Circulation, September 14, 2004; 110(11_suppl_1): II-237 - II-242. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. K. Haan, C. I. Cabral, D. A. Conetta, L. P. Coombs, and F. H. Edwards Selecting patients with mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction for isolated mitral valve surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2004; 78(3): 820 - 825. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. H. Rahimtoola The year in valvular heart disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 4, 2004; 43(3): 491 - 504. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. F. Northrup III, R. W. Emery, D. M. Nicoloff, T. J. Lillehei, A. R. Holter, and D. P. Blake Opposite trends in coronary artery and valve surgery in a large multisurgeon practice, 1979-1999 Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2004; 77(2): 488 - 495. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. C. Gardner, G. K. Grunwald, J. S. Rumsfeld, J. C. Cleveland Jr, L. M. Schooley, D. Gao, F. L. Grover, G. O. McDonald, and A. L. Shroyer Comparison of short-term mortality risk factors for valve replacement versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2004; 77(2): 549 - 556. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Berkun, A. Elami, K. Meir, D. Mevorach, and Y. Naparstek Increased morbidity and mortality in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome undergoing valve replacement surgery J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., February 1, 2004; 127(2): 414 - 420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. A. Hopkins Aortic valve leaflet sparing and salvage surgery: evolution of techniques for aortic root reconstruction Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., December 1, 2003; 24(6): 886 - 897. [Abstract] |