Use of Homografts for Aortic Valve Replacement

H.VANERMEN, Yusuf YALÇINBAŞ,*Belhan AKPINAR,*R. DeGEEST

İ.Ü.Kardiyoloji Enstitüsü Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Departmanı
^*Florance Nightingale Hastanesi, Kalp-Damar Cerrahisi Bölümü

55 patients who received a cryopreserved homograft for aortic valve replavement between january 1990-December 1992 were evaluated. The mean age was 45.5 years.10 patients underwent concomittant procedures. In the early postoperative period one patient developed acute aortic insufficieney due to a mechanial valve. In the long term follow-up (3-24 months, mean 13.5 months) clinical and echocardiographic evaluatioın of the patients showed no valve dysfunction.

All patients were in NYHA Class I or II.

We conclude that the cryopreserved aortic homograft constitutes a good conduit for aortic valve replacement in young patients. Howeer, the technical challenge for the beginner, the learning curve and difficulty in obtaining the homograft remain to be the factors limiting its use.

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