Long-term clinical outcomes 15 years after aortic valve replacement with the Freestyle stentless aortic bioprosthesis

The Freestyle stentless aortic root bioprosthesis has excellent hemodynamics and durability through 10 years. The purpose of this report is to present clinical outcomes in a large multicenter cohort through 15 years.

The multicenter evaluation of the Freestyle valve began in 1992 at 21 centers in North America and Europe. In 1997, a long-term study continued, including 725 patients from 8 of the original centers; clinical outcomes data after 10 years have continued to be collected at 6 of 8 centers.

Patient age was 71.7±7.9 years. There were 402 (55.4%) men and 323 (44.6%) women. Total follow-up was 5,491.2 patient-years. There were 52 late reoperations, with explant of the bioprosthesis in 47 cases. Respective 10- and 15-year survival was 46.2%±2.3% and 25.9%±3.2%; freedom from valve-related death was 94.9%±1.5% and 92.7%±3.5%; freedom from reoperation was 92.3%±1.8% and 80.7%±5.0%; and freedom from explant owing to structural valve deterioration was 96.5%±1.3% and 83.3%±4.8%. Increased age was associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality and valve-related mortality and lower risks of reoperation and explant caused by structural valve deterioration.

In this long-term, multicenter, observational study, the Freestyle stentless aortic root bioprosthesis offered good clinical outcomes in terms of survival, freedom from valve-related mortality, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from structural valve deterioration. The Freestyle valve is a viable option for use in patients undergoing bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement and for anticipated desire for long-term durability.