The Bentall procedure is a type of cardiac surgery involving composite graft replacement of the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta,with re-implantation of the coronary arteries into the graft. This operation is used to treat the combined disease of the aortic valve and ascending aorta. The aorta is the large blood vessel (artery) that carries blood from the heart through the chest and belly to the rest of the body. The aortic valve, which is at the base of the aorta, lets blood flow from the heart into the aorta. An aneurysm (a bulge in a blood vessel) can change the shape
of the aortic valve and keep the valve from working as it should.
An aneurysm in the ascending aorta (which rises out of the heart) also can cause the base of the aorta (called the aortic root) to widen. This change in shape can cause the aortic valve to malfunction. If the valve cannot close properly, blood can leak backward into the heart. This is called aortic valve regurgitation and causes the blood to build up excess pressure in the heart Medics at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital conducted a Bentall operation, successfully restoring the health of a patient who could otherwise have had to travel abroad for the operation. The procedure at KUTRRH saved the patient’s life while saving on the cost incurred by the patient/family. Prior to the operation, the medical team prepares the patient on some important things. First the patient must undergo some important tests including an ECG, chest X-ray, blood tests, nose and groin swabs and carotid dopplers (which is an ultrasound of the blood vessels in your neck that supply the brain).Secondly, the medical team checks on the medication routine as some may need to be stopped before the surgery.
The Bentall procedure replaces a part of the aorta damaged by an aneurysm. It also replaces the aortic valve that is not working. A large aneurysm in the aorta can be extremely dangerous to the
extent that if it bursts it can cause bleeding that leads to death. Medics recommend screening for persons with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms or people who are 65-75 years old and have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.