EACTS Expert Consensus Document on aortic valve repair and valve-sparing aortic root replacement procedures.

Abstract

Aortic valve repair is a complex and evolving field that requires multidisciplinary teamwork among heart specialists to diagnose and treat various causes and mechanisms of aortic regurgitation and proximal thoracic aortic aneurysms across all age groups. From a surgical standpoint, aortic valve repair includes all procedures aimed at restoring or maintaining native valve function. This European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Expert Consensus Document critically evaluates the current evidence on the common causes and mechanisms of aortic regurgitation, the use of echocardiographic parameters in patient selection, intraoperative assessment, and prognostic evaluation as well as the surgical techniques in practice. It outlines fundamental surgical principles shared across different repair methods and provides consensus statements to guide clinical practice. These statements are intended for a broad audience, including paediatric and adult cardiologists, echocardiographers, cardiovascular imaging specialists, and cardiac surgeons. Where high-quality evidence is unavailable, the guidance relies on the collective experience and expert judgement of the multidisciplinary author team. This document presents the official stance of the EACTS and aims to promote standardized, evidence-based decision-making in the management of patients undergoing aortic valve repair.