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Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
Allografts for aortic valve and root replacement: veni vidi vici?
Johanna J M Takkenberg1, Ad J J C Bogers
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.j.m.takkenberg@erasmusmc.nl
Allografts were introduced in the early 1960s for the replacement of the aortic valve and regarded at the time as a close-to-perfect valve substitute. However, over the past 40 years it has become evident that not all of the high expectations could be met. This review summarizes the past 40 years of clinical experience with allografts for aortic valve replacement, describes the advantages and disadvantages of allografts compared with other aortic valve substitutes and their impact on patient prognosis, and discusses the future role of allografts for the replacement of the aortic valve or root.
Allografts were introduced in the early 1960s for the replacement of the aortic valve and regarded at the time as a close-to-perfect valve substitute. However, over the past 40 years it has become evident that not all of the high expectations could be met. This review summarizes the past 40 years of clinical experience with allografts for aortic valve replacement, describes the advantages and disadvantages of allografts compared with other aortic valve substitutes and their impact on patient prognosis, and discusses the future role of allografts for the replacement of the aortic valve or root.
