title: New xenograft valved conduit (Contegra) for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The well-known flaws of existing valved conduits for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) continue to stimulate research for the elusive "perfect" conduit. In this study, we describe our experience with a glutaraldehyde-treated bovine jugular vein valved conduit (Contegra).
  
  
  METHODS
  55 years underwent implantation of a Contegra conduit. Diagnoses/procedures included repair of truncus arteriosus (2 patients), pulmonary atresia (3 patients), severe pulmonary insufficiency after prior repair of tetralogy of Fallot (9 patients), and replacement of degenerated valved conduit (1 patient).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No operative deaths occurred. One patient required an early conduit replacement for unexplained valve thrombosis. The early postoperative mean transconduit pressure gradient was 7.7+/- 4.9 mm Hg. At a mean follow-up time of 18.5 +/- 6.9 months, all patients were asymptomatic with no discernible calcification in the valve or conduit or significant valve incompetence, while the mean transvalvular gradient remained low (11.1 +/- 4.5 mm Hg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Contegra valved conduit is well suited for RVOT reconstruction, avoids the use of additional foreign material, and remains well functioning during early followup. Nonetheless, the long-term durability remains to be ascertained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre, Athens, Greece. achatzis@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chatzis
authors.forename: Nicolas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Giannopoulos
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bobos
authors.forename: George B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Kirvassilis
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rammos
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Sarris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D011665:Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000601:surgery*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*