e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Long-term follow-up of valved homografts in right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery reconstruction: A comprehensive case series
Osman Nuri Tuncer1, Mahsati Akhundova2, Eser Doğan3, Yüksel Atay1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
2Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, İzmir Tınaztepe University Private Buca Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
3Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
4Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2025.27057
Background: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery reconstruction with valved homografts.

Methods: A total of 106 patients (49 males, 57 females; median age: 5 years; range, 2 to 49 years) who underwent right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery reconstruction between January 2002 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The study utilized cryopreserved homografts and surgical procedures were conducted under moderate hypothermic conditions using cardiopulmonary bypass. Homograft failure was defined as the need for reintervention or replacement. The primary outcome measures were overall survival, freedom from conduit replacement rate, and freedom from any required reinterventions rate.

Results: The median follow-up was 7 years. The overall survival rate was 92.5%, with early mortality primarily due to low cardiac output. Freedom from reintervention rates were 90.8%, 84.8%, and 76.3% at three, five, and 10 years, respectively. Thirteen patients required conduit replacement, with pulmonary homografts showing improved durability. Risk factors for homograft failure included pulmonary valve regurgitation treatment, lower patient weight, younger age, and female sex.

Conclusion: This study highlights the excellent survival and durability of valved homografts in cardiac reconstruction, with implications for patient management and surgical decision-making in complex congenital heart disease procedures.

Keywords : Cardiac surgical procedures, heart defects, homografts, pulmonary artery
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