Hemodynamic performance of cryopreserved aortic homograft valves during midterm follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study of adult patients operated with a cryopreserved aortic homograft was to use serial echocardiographic data to evaluate the postoperative hemodynamic performance of these valves.


BACKGROUND
Only limited data on hemodynamic performance of aortic homografts at rest and during exercise are available. Controversy also exists regarding incidence and progression of aortic regurgitation (AR).


METHODS
Fifty-nine patients aged 39-86 years who received an aortic homograft (median size 21 mm) implanted with subcoronary technique were studied with serial Doppler-echocardiography (D-E). In 31 of these patients, D-E also was performed during supine exercise.


RESULTS
Overall survival was 100% during a median follow-up of 28 months (range 4-54). During follow-up AR grade II or more was detected in 25% of the patients with an increasing time-related risk of developing AR. Maximum and mean pressure differences at 7 months follow-up calculated with the short form of the Bernoulli equation were 11.4 (4.6) and 5.5 (2.1) mm Hg, respectively. During supine exercise that increased cardiac output 72%, maximum pressure difference increased from 11.9 (5.2) to 18.5 (9.5) mm Hg.


CONCLUSIONS
The aortic homograft valve shows low pressure differences at rest and during exercise, but AR grade I or II is often seen during follow-up. As AR progresses with time we stress the importance of echocardiographic follow-up of patients with aortic homografts.
Karolinska Hospital Department of Surgical Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. mer@thfys.ks.se
M J
MJ
Eriksson
G
G
Källner
S
S
Rosfors
T
T
Ivert
L A
LA
Brodin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D015925:Cryopreservation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013318:Stroke Volume