Narula J。
some research shows people with Marfan syndrome have better outcomes with valve-sparing surgery than with the Bentall procedure. But like any major surgery， Olin JW， reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. View Sources Experts You Can Trust Medically Reviewed. Last updated on 01/19/2026. References Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy。
typically anywhere from 4 centimeters to 5.5 centimeters. You might need surgery at the lower end of this range if: The timing of your surgery also depends on other things — like your age， Liang M， reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. Brown CR， Brimfield M， Desai ND. Ascending and arch aortic aneurysms. In: Cohn LH， called your aorta. Specifically， you’ll spend several days in the intensive care unit (ICU). You’ll then move to a regular hospital room. Most people need to stay in the hospital for about one week total. Advertisement While you’re in the hospital， while others need it further down the road. No matter the timing， heart surgery can feel scary and overwhelming. Just remember that this surgery might be your “first， your natural aortic valve may last for life. But you may need another surgery at some point to get a new valve. It depends on your anatomy and other medical conditions. When should I call my healthcare provider? Pay attention to your body and how you feel as you recover. Call your provider right away if any of these problems come up: Incision issues， What Is Aortic Root Replacement? Image content: This image is available to view online. View image online (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/images/org/health/articles/22821-aortic-root-replacement) Aortic root replacement treats an aneurysm in the part of your aorta that connects to your heart. Valve-sparing techniques keep your native valve. Aortic root replacement is surgery to fix an aneurysm in your largest artery， Held U， Henkin S. Thoracic aortic aneurysm: A clinical review (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34686263/) . Cardiol Clin. 2021 Nov;39(4):505-515. Accessed 1/19/2026. Zhou Z， like: Redness， Wu Z. Reimplantation versus remodelingin valve-sparing surgery for aortic root aneurysms: A meta-analysis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7578473/#r33) . J Thorac Dis. 2020 Sep;12(9):4742-4753. Accessed 1/19/2026. Care at Cleveland Clinic When you come to Cleveland Clinic for aortic disease treatment。
aortic root replacement comes with some risks. These include: Bleeding Blood clots Breathing problems Heart attack or stroke Infection in the graft Infection in the lungs， you’re at risk of rupture or dissection. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have: Sudden， warmth or swelling Blood or clear fluid soaking through your bandage Green or yellow drainage Edges of your incision coming apart Signs of a surgery complication。
but you need to take blood thinners. Tissue valves last at least 10 to 15 years in most people but then may need to be replaced. If you have valve-sparing aortic root replacement。
you’ll receive: Follow your provider’s guidance and take things slow. This healing time helps you get back to normal. You won’t be able to drive until your provider gives you the OK. So。
eds. Cardiac Surgery in the Adult. 5th ed. McGraw Hill; 2017. David TE. Aortic valve sparing in different aortic valve and aortic root conditions (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27491910/) . J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016 Aug;68(6):654-664. Accessed 1/19/2026. European Society of Cardiology. Aortic Diseases Guidelines (https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Aortic-Diseases) . Accessed 1/19/2026. Elbatarny M， severe pain in your chest or upper back (it may feel like something is tearing or ripping inside you) Chest pain or discomfort of any kind Clammy， Ahmed A， your age and overall health status. Surgeons use a variety of techniques for valve-sparing surgery. Here are two common ones you might hear about: The Yacoub procedure uses a technique called “remodeling” to save your aortic valve. It’s better for people who are older and whose aneurysms aren’t linked to genetic syndromes. The David procedure uses a technique called “reimplantation” to save your valve. It’s more common than the Yacoub procedure but also more complex. It’s better for people who are younger and have a genetic syndrome or bicuspid aortic valve. Procedure Details How should I prepare for surgery? Preparation is key to a successful surgery， it can rupture (break open) or dissect (tear). These are life-threatening complications that surgery can prevent. Advertisement Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Who needs an aortic root replacement? People who have an aneurysm at risk of rupture or dissection may need an aortic root replacement. Sometimes， et al. A systemic review and meta-analysis: Long-term results of the Bentall versus the David procedure in patients with Marfan syndrome (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29893811/) . Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2018 Sep;54(3):411-419. Accessed 1/19/2026. David TE. Aortic valve repair and aortic valve-sparing operations. In: Cohn LH。
Mosbahi S， including when to stop eating/drinking and any medicines you should take. What happens during aortic root replacement? To perform an aortic root replacement， Misra S， skin care and more. Example emailSign up Sign upExample email Experts You Can Trust Medically Reviewed. Last updated on 01/19/2026. Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. References Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy， your surgeon will: Give you anesthesia : This medicine puts you into a deep sleep so you won’t feel pain. Make a cut (incision) in your chest :This step is called a median sternotomy. It allows your surgeon to access your heart. Connect you to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine : This machine does the work of your heart and lungs during surgery. Remove the aneurysm : Your surgeon removes the part of your aorta that’s weak and bulging. The aneurysm may only affect your aortic root. Or it may include more of your ascending aorta (the part that curves upward from your heart). Insert a graft : Your surgeon replaces the aneurysm with a tube called a graft. This functions as a new artery. It’s made of collagen-coated polyester. Keep or replace your aortic valve : This step varies by surgery type. With the Bentall procedure， Tam DY， you’ll get industry-leading care and support from our heart and vascular specialists. Aortic Disease Treatment Make an Appointment Get a Second Opinion 。
you shouldn’t drive or lift heavy objects for six weeks. You may be able to return to work after six to eight weeks， it treats aneurysms in your aortic root. This is the part of your aorta that attaches to your heart. If an aneurysm grows too big or its walls get too weak， Bavaria JE， it can take two to three months. This includes your time in the hospital， both types of surgery (Bentall and valve-sparing) are successful for most people. Which type has more benefits for you depends on how well your valve is working and any underlying conditions you have. For example， you receive a new valve. Your surgeon connects it to the graft. If you have valve-sparing aortic root replacement。
and it starts well before your surgery day. Your healthcare provider will give you a physical exam. They may run tests like: You’ll also talk with your provider about: Your provider will give you detailed instructions for your surgery day， aging and changes to your aorta over time cause an aortic root aneurysm. Genetic disorders like Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome can cause potentially fatal aortic aneurysms in younger people. Your healthcare provider may recommend aortic root replacement if the aneurysm reaches a certain size， is implantation superior to remodeling? (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33313815/) Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2021 Apr;32(3):441-446. Accessed 1/19/2026. Senser EM。
eds. Hurst’s The Heart. 14th ed. McGraw Hill; 2017. Accessed 1/19/2026. Iannacone EM。
Lau C， Jr Soletti G， Hamilton Black J 3rd， at home and in cardiac rehab. Medicare and most insurance companies cover up to 12 weeks of cardiac rehab. It’s worth your time to use this service. Rehab improves your strength and quality of life after heart surgery. You’ll also be able to meet people who are going through the same thing. Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to return to your usual activities. In general， your surgeon connects your natural valve to the graft. Attach your coronary arteries : These arteries supply blood to your heart. They begin at your aortic root. Your surgeon attaches them to the graft. Close the incision : Your surgeon takes you off the bypass machine. They close your incision with stitches. Advertisement The Bentall procedure takes about four to five hours. Valve-sparing aortic root replacement is about four to six hours. What are the potential benefits and risks of this procedure? A major benefit of aortic root replacement is that it can prevent a life-threatening aneurysm rupture or dissection. Plus， sweaty skin Coughing or hoarseness Trouble breathing Dizziness or fainting Fast heartbeat Nausea and vomiting A note from Cleveland Clinic Aortic root replacement is a lifesaving surgery. It protects you from a fatal aneurysm rupture or dissection. Some people need it in their 20s or 30s， sleep， be sure to have someone ready to drive you home. What is the recovery time? Full recovery from aortic root replacement surgery takes at least six to 12 weeks. For some people， fitness， Eapen ZJ。
Ziganshin BA. Diseases of the Aorta (https://accesscardiology-mhmedical-com.ccmain.ohionet.org/content.aspx?bookid=2046sectionid=176565488) . In: Fuster V， Edelman JJ，。
but only if your job isn’t physically demanding. Advertisement How long does an aortic root replacement last? Aortic root replacement is a durable and long-term solution for aortic root aneurysms. How long the valve lasts depends on the type of valve you receive. Mechanical valves last for the rest of your life， urinary tract or belly Kidney failure Nerve damage Any open surgery is riskier if you have other serious health problems， Adams DH.，” but surgeons are trained to do them all the time. A successful operation is their top priority. And they’ll do whatever they can to help you feel comfortable from prep through recovery. Better health starts here Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition。
Harky A . In patients undergoing valve-sparing aortic root replacement， Preventza O， et al. Valve-sparing root replacement versus composite valve grafting in aortic root dilation: A meta-analysis (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31981499/) . Ann Thorac Surg. 2020 Jul;110(1):296-306. Accessed 1/19/2026. Elefteriades JA，eds. Cardiac Surgery in the Adult. 5th ed. McGraw Hill; 2017. Burgstaller JM， Harrington RA， et al. 2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36322642/) . Circulation. 2022 Dec;146(24):e334-e482. Accessed 1/19/2026. Maskell P， including: Heart disease Kidney failure Lung disease History of a stroke Risks vary by person and increase with age. Talk with your provider about your risks and how to manage them. Care at Cleveland Clinic Aortic Disease Treatment Make an Appointment Get a Second Opinion Recovery and Outlook What happens after aortic root replacement surgery? After your surgery。
Halperin JL， overall health and risk of surgery complications. Factors like unmanaged high blood pressure and smoking can make an aneurysm grow faster. Talk with your provider about your personal risks and how to choose the safest time for your surgery. Types of surgery There are two main types of aortic root replacement surgery: Advertisement Your surgeon will determine the best strategy for you based on many factors， Huang S， pain。
et al. Aortic valve-sparing root replacement or Bentall? (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10248904/) . Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2023 May;12(3):168-178. Accessed 1/19/2026. Isselbacher EM， like: When to seek emergency care If you have an untreated aortic aneurysm， Adams DH， such as the anatomy and function of your aortic valve。