page_title: Apicoaortic Conduit
section_title: Procedure
hierarchical_section_title: Apicoaortic Conduit / Procedure
caption_attribution_description: English: Patient Positioning for a Left Anterior Thoracotomy
context_page_description: Apicoaortic Conduit, also known as Aortic Valve Bypass, is a cardiothoracic surgical procedure that alleviates symptoms caused by blood flow obstruction from the left ventricle of the heart. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is caused by narrowing of the aortic valve and other valve disorders. AAC, or AVB, relieves the obstruction to blood flow by adding a bioprosthetic valve to the circulatory system to decrease the load on the aortic valve. When an apicoaortic conduit is implanted, blood continues to flow from the heart through the aortic valve. In addition, blood flow bypasses the native valve and exits the heart through the implanted valved conduit. The procedure is effective at relieving excessive pressure gradient across the natural valve. High pressure gradient across the aortic valve can be congenital or acquired. A reduction in pressure gradient results in relief of symptoms.
context_section_description: The general procedure has evolved over the years as surgeons gained experience and improved techniques.   A video of an AVB procedure performed by Dr. Jim Gammie of the University of Maryland Medical Center can be found here.
caption: Patient positioning for a left anterior thoracotomy
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