Cryopreserved aortic homograft replacement in 3 patients with noninfectious inflammatory vascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

Although mechanical prosthetic heart valves are most commonly used for aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic regurgitation due to noninfectious inflammatory vascular disease, postoperative perivalvular leakage and/or detachment of the prosthetic valve occurs due to the fragility of the aortic annulus. Aortic root replacement with cryopreserved homografts is reported to be useful in such patients.

METHODS

Three patients having aortic regurgitation associated with severe long standing noninfectious inflammatory vascular disease-2 patients with Takayasu's arteritis and 1 patient with Behçet disease--had the aortic root replacement by a cryopreserved aortic homograft valve and conduit.

RESULTS

All surgery was successful and the postoperative course uneventful. Echocardiography showed neither aortic regurgitation nor graft detachment at 6-39 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Homograft valve and conduit replacement is appropriate in patients with aortic regurgitation associated with noninfectious inflammatory vascular disease, with mid-term results favorable.