[Cryopreserved viable pedicled aortic homografts for complex congenital heart diseases: report of 2 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To report the authors' experience in treating complex congenital heart diseases with cryopreserved viable pedicled aortic homografts (CVAHs).

METHODS

CVAHs were obtained within 3 h after death of donors younger than 35 years old due to non-cardiovascular and non-infectious diseases. After routine treatment, the homografts were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen and thawed in 0.9% sodium chloride solution at 37 to 42 degrees celsius before use. A CVAH was used as a valved conduit to connect the pulmonary artery and right ventricle in one case of double-outlet right ventricle, pulmonary stenosis and coronary artery deformation. In another case of severe tetralogy of Fallot, a CVAH was used as a valved patch to enlarge the right ventricle outlet.

RESULTS

The homografts were preserved satisfactorily. The surgical results of the 2 cases with congenital heart diseases were satisfactory in perioperative and follow-up periods.

CONCLUSION

CVAH is a good substitute to rebuild right ventricle-pulmonary artery connection in treatment of complex congenital heart diseases.