The value of the stentless biovalve prosthesis: an experimental study

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery Vol. 7; no. 10; pp. 514 - 519
• Main Authors: HAZEKAMP, M. G, GOFFIN, Y. A, HUYSMANS, H. A
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science 1993
• Subjects: Animals; Aortic Valve - transplantation; Biological and medical sciences; Bioprosthesis; Calcinosis; Cryopreservation; Equipment Failure; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Medical sciences; Stents; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Swine; Transplantation, Homologous; Endoprosthesis; Exploration; Heterograft; Pig; Pathology; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Treatment; Cardiac valvular disease; Animal; Biomaterial; Degeneration; Artiodactyla; Experimental surgery; Graft surgical; Aortic valve; Ungulata
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/1010-7940(93)90048-G

Clinical use of the stentless bioprosthesis has not yet been accepted world-wide. Experimental studies are scarce. In a study in growing pigs, 23 aortic valve replacements were performed (7 stented bioprostheses (STB), 10 stentless bioprostheses (SLB) and 6 cryopreserved homografts (CAH)). Valves were studied macroscopically and microscopically after explantation. Five animals died between 1.5 and 4 months after implantation. Two STBs showed extreme calcific degeneration. A third STB animal died suddenly: this STB showed only minimal leaflet calcification. One SLB was stenosed with a large fibrin deposit in one cusp, a second SLB showed slight cusp calcification and three were paracommissural tears in one cusp. In all other animals the valves were explanted after 5 to 6.5 months. All STBs showed severe calcific degeneration. Five SLBs showed mild calcific degeneration, while three others were unaltered after 6 months. All CAHs were free of calcific degeneration, three were perfect, two had a tear in a commisure and another was prolapsed with a fibrin degeneration. The speed and extent of valve degeneration were less than in the STB group. The stentless design is an important contribution which may result in a higher durability of bioprosthetic valves.