Surgical Management of the Aortic Root

Abstract

The surgical management of aortic root pathology is complicated and challenging. The dynamic structure of the root serves the purpose of being the outflow tract of the left ventricle, a conduit to coronary perfusion, and path for blood flow to the end-organs. The anatomy of the aortic root is the basis of what leads to complex problems needing surgical correction including aortic valve repair, aneurismal disease of the sinuses and root, dissection of the ascending aorta, in addition to other surgically correctable disorders. The anatomy, pathology, pathophysiology, and imaging, as well as the surgical management of the aortic root will be discussed.