Bentall procedure:
Bentall procedure is a type of surgery to help correct problems with your aorta which carry oxygen rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
Bentall procedure Some facts about:
- A Bentall procedure is recommended for you if you have problems with your aorta.
- The procedure is named after Hugh Bentall, who first performed and described it in 1968
- Some of the most common problems that can occur include Aortic regurgitation, when aortic valve of your heart doesn't close properly; Marfan's syndrome, which is a disease from birth that weakens the aortic wall thickness; Aortic aneurysm, which is widening of the aorta and Aortic dissection, when the inner layer of the aorta tears
- An ascending aortic or aortic root aneurysm is repaired in combination with aortic valve disease in the Bentall procedure.
- It is also used to repair aortic dissection affecting the aortic root and valve.
- A composite aortic valve graft is used to replace the proximal ascending aorta and aortic valve during the procedure.
- Oxygenated blood is carried by the aorta from the heart.
- Oxygenated blood is provided to the whole body by the blood vessels leaving the aorta.
- The aortic valve prevents blood from flowing backward into the heart.
- Ascending aorta refers to a slightly longer portion of the aorta just before any blood vessels have branched off it, including the root itself.
- Aortic root is the very beginning of the aorta.
- An aneurysm, in which a blood vessel that balloons out and becomes larger than normal in size can develop because of the aortic root which can affect the valve functions as well.
Preparation for Bentall procedure:
- You will need to check with your doctor about all the medications you are taking as some may need to be stopped before the surgery.
- For example, you will need to stop taking SGLT2 medicine at least 3 days before your surgery if you are taking it for diabetic.
- Some important tests including blood tests, an ECG, chest X-ray, nose and groin swabs and carotid dopplers may be performed before the surgery.
- You will be asked to stop eating and drinking from midnight before your surgery
Procedure for Bentall procedure:
- You will be given general anesthetic before your surgery to relax and make you fall asleep.
- A type of open-heart surgery will be performed to replace the aortic valve and aortic root and sometimes more of the ascending aorta.
- The affected part of your aorta and aortic valves will be removed by your doctor after you fall asleep.
- Your coronary arteries will be temporarily removed.
- An artificial aortic graft with a built in valve will be inserted.
- Two holes will be made in the graft and the coronary arteries will be re-attached.
- Usually, the entire procedure takes around five hours.
- Bentall procedure can be modified for aortic root replacement.
- Coronary artery circulation is maintained by removing a full-thickness 'button' of aorta surrounding the coronary ostia in this modification of the original procedure.
- This makes it easier to implant the proximal end of the coronary arteries into openings made in the aortic vascular graft.
