Congenital: Aortic Valve
Commentary: Aortic valve reconstruction and the Ozaki procedure in children—Finding the best fit
Aortic valve disease continues to be a challenging problem in pediatric patients. We continuously search for new innovations, as our best options are imperfect. In this issue of the Journal, Wiggins and colleagues1 from Great Ormond Street present their short-term results using the Ozaki procedure (neotricuspidization) and other valve reconstruction techniques in children and young adults. This is currently the largest retrospective single-center review in children and young adults, comprising 58 patients from 2015 to 2019.Aortic valve neocuspidization: A bright future in pediatric aortic valve surgery?
We congratulate Ozaki and colleagues1 on their study evaluating midterm results after aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium. In their cohort of 850 adult patients with various aortic valve diseases who underwent an aortic valve replacement during a period of 8 years, excellent results were reported in terms of actuarial freedom from death, cumulative incidence of reoperation, and recurrent moderate or greater aortic regurgitation.1
