Comparison of postoperative results of patients undergoing Bentall surgery using Biovalsalva and composite grafts

Objective: Biovalsalva grafts have been used as new grafts in recent years due to the need to reduce complications and mortality of Bentall surgery. This study compared the postoperative results of patients who underwent Bentall operations using Biovalsalva grafts and those who used valved conduit grafts. Methods: Between January 2015 and March 2017, the study included 40 patients who were diagnosed with ascending aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and underwent the Bentall procedure in our clinic. Twenty patients using Dacron grafts were included in Group I and 20 patients using Biovalsalva grafts were included in Group II. The patients were compared in terms of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), cross-clamp times, preoperative and postoperative first month echocardiography (ECHO) results, length of stay in the hospital and intensive care unit, amount of drainage and inotropic use. Results: The age of the patients using Biovalsalva grafts was significantly higher than those using composite grafts (p<0.001). The comparison of the patients in terms of CPB time showed no significant difference (p=0.174). The cross-clamp time was significantly lower in patients treated with Biovalsalva grafts than in those treated with composite grafts (p=0.023). The mortality results between the two groups showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Although the Biovalsalva graft did not make any additional difference in terms of postoperative ECHO findings, morbidity, or mortality, it significantly shortened the cross-clamp time. Better results can be achieved with the increase in the use of Biovalsalva grafts.