Biologic reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. Preliminary experimental analysis and clinical...

A unique concept of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction is presented. Applications of this concept, employing a glutaraldehyde-preserved heterograft mitral valve leaflet mounted directly to the right ventricle, was studied in six immature goat models. Interval evaluation of these models demonstrated no significant outflow tract obstruction or aneurysm. Only one animal had significant pulmonary outflow regurgitation angiographically at the time of sacrifice. All heterograft valve leaflets showed a degree of calcification and/or retraction directly related to the time interval between implant and sacrifice. Encouraging early results were obtained with this method of pulmonary outflow tract reconstruction in a 2,400 gram neonate with type I truncus arteriosus.