Pulmonary valve replacement with a porcine aortic heterograft

Pulmonary valve replacement is an uncommon surgical procedure, yet lifesaving when performed under the appropriate circumstances. The patient reported on here had the classic indications for valve replacement: increased pulmonary vascular resistance and associated pulmonary valve incompetence following repair of a congenital heart defect resulting in right heart failure and secondary tricuspid insufficiency. A review of the literature provides the basis for the decision to replace the pulmonary valve with a glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine heterograft.