Postoperative brain damage and neuropsychological disorders have been observed in 30 - 80 % of patients after heart surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).They can persist up to a year after cardiac surgery and are associated with increased hospital mortality and prolonged intrahospital stay.

Hypoperfusion,hyperthermia,atrial fibrillation,genetic predisposition and systemic inflammatory response associated with CPB have been identified as pathophysiological mechanisms.However, some authors consider cerebral embolisation to be the prevalent mechanism of intraoperative brain injury after cardiac surgery,as gaseous or solid cerebral emboli can cause ischemia, inflammation and edema,consequently causing cerebral infarctions usually resulting with stroke,coma,encephalopathy, delirium and cognitive decline. Additionally,they may impair cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR).

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) preformed by full sternotomy is the standard approach in the treatment of aortic valve disease. Minimally invasive (MIS) aortic valve replacement has been shown to reduce postoperative mortality, morbidity, and pain while providing faster recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic results. However, due to technically more demanding procedure, MIS may lead to prolonged CPB time and incomplete de-airing of the heart with an increased risk for cerebral gas embolization. Therefore, the choice of MIS might bear an augmented risk for brain injury.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) enables real time detection of intraoperative emboli in the cerebral arteries seen as microembolic signals (MES), and is an essential neuromonitoring tool. Several studies demonstrated correlation between the number of MES and the occurrence as well as severity of postoperative neurological complications. However, the factors contributing to brain injury have not been elucidated in those studies. The investigators speculate that impairment of CVR is an important mechanism that persists and prolongs the duration of brain injury into postoperative period.

The aim of the study is to compare two surgical approaches used for AVR, with focus on the number of MES and their impact on levels of protein S100B (marker of brain tissue damage),postoperative CVR and cognitive function With the results,the investigators aim to help surgeons in selecting the appropriate technique for AVR in individual participants,as well as to clarify the effect of aortic valve surgery on the brain.

Patients undergoing for aortic valve replacement will be enrolled in the study after giving the signed informed consent and will be divided in two groups depending on the type of the surgical technique. Either full sternotomy (FS) or minimal invasive sternotomy (MIS) will be performed, both with the use of cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB).One week before and one week after the surgery patients will undergo mini mental test and measurement of visually evoked cerebral blood flow velocity response (VEFR).Levels of S100B, interleukin (IL) 1, IL 6, IL 8, IL 10 and microparticles will be determined before induction of anesthesia,as well as 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after CPB.Each patient will have invasive and non invasive monitoring that will include near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), bispectral index (BIS) and TCD during surgery.MES will be detected using TCD at the following time-points: beginning of surgery, after sternotomy, during aortic cannulation, during CPB, during de-airing, opening of the clamp on the aorta and after CBP removal before chest closure.All of this data will be documented as well as the demographic characteristics of patients, their preoperative medical status, and intraoperative data (duration of surgery, duration of CPB, hemodynamic parameters, inotropic/vasoactive support,blood and blood components); duration of mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit (ICU), duration of ICU stay, 30-day mortality and morbidity, as well as postoperative complications.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Isolated aortic valve stenosis as well as asymptomatic patients with depressed systolic function
• Symptomatic patients with normal or depressed left ventricular function
• Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status classification 2 or 3

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of brain stroke
• EF less than 20%
• History of alcohol abuse
• Epilepsy of history of psychiatric illness and antipsychotic drugs
• Patients with stenosis on carotid arteries
• Patients with preformed surgery or already stented carotid arteries
• Patients with poor or absent acoustic temporal window
• Diagnosed dementia