Early hemodynamic results of the Shelhigh SuperStentless aortic bioprostheses

Stentless valves have been demonstrated excellent hemodynamic performances favoring the recovery of left ventricular function and the ventricular hypertrophy regression. The aim of the study was to evaluate the early hemodynamic performance of the Shelhigh SuperStentless aortic valve (AV).

Between July 2003 and June 2005, 35 patients (18 females; age 70.8 +/- 11.7 years, range: 22-85) underwent AV replacement with the Shelhigh SuperStentless bioprostheses. Most recurrent etiology was senile degeneration in 25 (71%) patients and 24 (69%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in nine patients (25.7%) and mitral valve surgery in two patients (5.7%). Doppler echocardiography was performed before surgery, at six-month and one-year follow-up.

There were no hospital deaths and no valve-related perioperative complications. During one-year follow-up, no endocarditis or thromboembolic events were registered, no cases of structural dysfunction or valve thrombosis were noted. Mean and peak transvalvular gradients significantly decrease after AV replacement, with an evident reduction to approximately 50% of the preoperative values at six months. A 20% reduction was also observed for left ventricular mass (LVM) index at six months, with a further regression at one year. Correspondingly, significant increases in effective orifice area (EOA) and indexed EOA were determined after surgery (0.87 +/- 0.14 versus 1.84 +/- 0.29 cm2 and 0.54 +/- 0.19 versus 1.05 +/- 0.20 cm2/m2, respectively). Valve prosthesis-patient mismatch was moderate in five patients and severe in one case.

Shelhigh SuperStentless AV provided good and encouraging hemodynamic results. Long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate late hemodynamic performance and durability of this stentless bioprosthesis.