Aortomitral curtain reconstruction: demystifying a complicated situation

Abstract

The definitive management of an aortic root abscess is an operation associated with high morbidity and mortality. These operations are convoluted, time-consuming, and involve conceptionally intricate reconstructions. Following debridement of periannular abscesses, several challenges may persist, with one common issue being the destruction of the aortomitral curtain. Considering the daunting nature of this situation, the authors describe a step-by-step bovine pericardial patch reconstruction of the aortomitral curtain that endeavours to provide a simplified explanation for its use by a broader audience.

Keywords: Annular enlargement; Aorta; Aortic annular destruction; Aortic regurgitation; Aortic replacement; Aortic root; Aortic root replacement; Aortic valve disease; Endocarditis; Homograft; Intervalvular fibrosa; Prosthetic valve endocarditis; Root abscess.