Personalised External Aortic Root Support (PEARS)

The Personalised External Aortic Root Support (PEARS) is a pre-emptive operation to halt an expansion of the aortic root (located at the beginning of the aorta and contains the aortic valve). This procedure prevents an increase in size of the aortic root, which may lead to an Aortic Aneurysm and other further complications.

As the aortic root contains the aortic valve, PEARS can also assist in preventing aortic valve dysfunctions – another complication related to aneurysms and seen in many conditions including Marfan syndrome, congenitally deformed aortic valve and genetic aortic wall weakness. The controlling of aortic root size by the implementation of PEARS maintains optimal aortic root dimensions, which in turn reduces the stress on the aortic valve. This stabilisation helps to ensure that the valve functions properly, minimising the risk of valve leaking or becoming too narrow – issues that can arise from abnormal aortic root enlargement.

A custom-made, open-mesh 3D sleeve is manufactured to resemble the shape of the patient’s ascending aorta. Applied when a patient’s aorta has only just increased in size or is mildly aneurysmal, the support sleeve acts as a protective “glove” around the vessel to decrease the aortic size or prevent further expansion, thus significantly reducing the risk of a rupture. 

    A weakened aorta is reinforced with a custom-fit
       support sleeve to reduce the risk of rupture.

• The PEARS implant can be placed before the aorta reaches a size at which a root replacement is deemed mandatory by established criteria – thus offering the patient a peace of mind and an earlier reduction of the risk of aortic rupture.
• The aortic valve is spared and the architecture of the aortic valve is maintained, reducing the risk of aortic regurgitation.
• The PEARS procedure is shorter than that for root replacement surgery (typically 2-3 hours rather than 5-6).
• There is usually no requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass during PEARS.
• There is no requirement for lifetime blood-thinning  therapy for PEARS.
• The material in the reinforced aorta reverts to a structure like that of a normal aorta to support the patient’s own valve, thus minimizing adverse effects on the native aortic function, and further surgery is unlikely to be necessary.