Bio-Valsalva prosthesis: 'new' conduit for 'old' patients

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2008 Dec;7(6):1062-6. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2008.187849. Epub 2008 Sep 18.

Abstract

A new bio-prosthetic valved conduit (Bio-Valsalva) has recently been introduced into surgical practice in order to offer a valid option for elderly patients undergoing composite aortic root replacement. The conduit is made up of a stentless porcine valve (elan valve) pre-sewn inside a triple layer Valsalva prosthesis and it is entirely preserved in a glutaraldehyde solution. In our Department, 21 patients (16 males, mean age 67.8+/-5.5 years) underwent aortic root replacement using the Bio-Valsalva prosthesis. Composite root replacement was extended to the hemiarch in three cases while a complete arch replacement was performed in two patients. Type A aortic dissection was present in two cases while a bicuspid aortic valve was detected in eight patients. In-hospital mortality was 4.7% (1 patient). Re-thoracotomy for bleeding was performed in one case. The median in-hospital stay was 12 days. The median follow-up was six months and is 100% complete. There were no re-operations or structural deterioration during this early phase of observation. The Bio-Valsalva graft, readily available in different sizes, demonstrates ease of implantability and shows good haemostatic characteristics. More patients and a longer follow-up are necessary to confirm the advantages of this graft.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Aortic Valve / physiopathology
  • Aortic Valve / surgery*
  • Bioprosthesis*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / mortality
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis*
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / mortality
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Hemodynamics
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sinus of Valsalva / physiopathology
  • Sinus of Valsalva / surgery*
  • Swine
  • Thoracotomy
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome