Adrian R. Acuna Higaki

Adrian R. Acuna Higaki

*This is an algorithmically generated author record based on publicly available information.

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Adrian R. Acuna Higaki has a total of 12 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:


Latest Publications

  • Open Access

    Clinical, Physiologic, and Anatomic Outcomes of a Novel Bioprosthetic Aortic Valved Conduit

    by Sedem Dankwa, Ely Erez, Adrian R. Acuna Higaki, Shiv Verma, Irbaz Hameed, Sriharsha Talapaneni, Kristina Wang, Sem Asmelash, Titilayo Oden Shobayo, Pavan Khosla, et al.

    Background: In 2020, the first pre-assembled bioprosthetic aortic valved conduit (AVC) was approved in the United States. This study compares its anatomic and functional outcomes to traditional hand-sewn composite conduits in patients undergoing aortic root replacement. Methods: This retrospective study compared 118 patients receiving the pre-assembled AVC (2021–2023) versus 66 patients with hand-sewn conduits (2012–2020) after elective bio-Bentall procedures. Primary outcomes were post-operative mortality and complication rates. Secondary outcomes included anatomic and hemodynamic changes. Graft dimensions were obtained from post-operative computed tomography (CT). Echocardiographic parameters were collected at early and late follow-up. Between-group differences and longitudinal changes were assessed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Groups were comparable in age (pre-assembled 63 ± 11 vs. hand-sewn 64 ± 11 years) and predominantly male. Despite significantly higher concomitant hemiarch rates in pre-assembled conduits (91.5% vs. 28.8%, p < 0.001), 30-day mortality, stroke, and reoperation for bleeding were comparable between groups. Pre-assembled conduits demonstrated superior hemodynamics with lower baseline peak gradients (Δ 9.1 mmHg, p < 0.001), lower mean gradients (Δ 5.3 mmHg, p < 0.001), and larger indexed effective orifice area (Δ 0.27 cm2/m2, p = 0.018). Annual rates of hemodynamic and dimensional change were minimal and comparable between groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no survival difference at 3 years. Conclusions: The pre-assembled AVC demonstrates equivalent safety and superior early hemodynamic performance compared to hand-sewn conduits, with stable mid-term anatomic and functional outcomes.