Regression of hypertrophy after Carpentier-Edwards pericardial aortic valve replacement

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant regression of left ventricular hypertrophy is seen after implantation of small sizes (19 to 23 mm) of the Carpentier-Edwards (CE) pericardial valve, a stented pericardial valve. Methods. Echocardiograms and electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed at least 1 year after surgery (mean 18 months) in patients with 19-, 21-, and 23-mm CE pericardial aortic valves and compared with preoperative echocardiograms and ECGs. Results. A total of 41 patients, mean age 79 ± 9 years (range 46 to 93 years), were studied, including 7 19-mm, 22 21-mm, and 12 23-mm patients. The mean postoperative gradient was 22 ± 7 mm Hg for 19-mm valves, 18 ± 5 mm Hg for 21-mm valves, and 16 ± 4 mm Hg for 23-mm valves. The postoperative valve areas were 1.1 ± 0.3 cm2 for the 19-mm, 1.3 ± 0.3 cm2 for the 21-mm, and 1.5 ± 0.4 cm2 for the 23-mm valves. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter, end systolic diameter, septal thickness, and posterior wall thickness all decreased significantly (p