Aortic root surgery is done to prevent:

• A rupture of the aorta.
• A tear between the layers of the aorta's wall, called an aortic dissection.
• Stretching of the aortic valve.

The risk of these events depends on the size of the aortic root and cause of enlargement. Aortic root surgery is recommended for those at high risk.

Before aortic root surgery, talk to your health care provider about the best treatment or surgery for your condition. Also discuss the benefits and risks of the surgery.

There are several types of aortic root surgery, including:

• Aortic valve and root replacement. This procedure also is called composite aortic root replacement. A surgeon removes part of the aorta and the aortic valve. Then, the surgeon replaces the section of the aorta with an artificial tube, called a graft. The aortic valve is replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. Anyone who has a mechanical valve needs to take blood-thinning medicine, also called blood thinners, for life to prevent blood clots. Blood thinners also are called anticoagulants.
• Valve-sparing aortic root repair. A surgeon replaces the enlarged section of the aorta with a graft. The aortic valve stays in place. In one technique, the surgeon sews the valve inside the graft.

If you have another heart condition, your surgeon may be able to treat it at the same time as aortic root surgery.