ABSTRACT
Pathology of the aortic root may involve any of its functional components or may be secondary to pathology of the ascending aorta. Historically, these pathological processes have been managed with aortic valve replacement combined with supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta or with replacement of the aortic root using a valved conduit and reimplantation of the coronary arteries, as described by Bentall and De Bono.1 Functional results have traditionally been very good and the original technique or modi cations therein are used widely today.2 Inherent drawbacks to valve replacement include thromboembolism, infective endocarditis, and haemorrhage, as a consequence of anticoagulation in the setting of a mechanical valve prosthesis. These complications, combined with recognition that often the aortic valve lea ets in aortic root pathology are normal or near normal, led to the introduction of valve-sparing aortic root surgery.
