Techniques in trileaflet aortic valve repair

Surgical techniques for regurgitant aortic valve pathology have evolved significantly in the last 20 years as a result of deeper understanding of functional structure and physiopathology of the aortic valve and the development of a common anatomical and functional language among specialists. The introduction of the functional classification of aortic valve regurgitation facilitated the development of standard surgical approaches to treat this pathology. The principles of aortic valve repair include the restoration of normal anatomy and geometry of the functional aortic root with the aim to provide a long-term stabilisation of the aortic annulus. We report a review of our approach and surgical techniques to repair the aortic valve and aortic root based on our long experience in the field.