title: Midterm Follow-up after Cryopreserved Homograft Replacement in the Aortic Position.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The long-term results of homografts used in systemic circulation are controversial. We assessed the long-term results of using a cryopreserved homograft for an aortic root or aorta and its branch replacement.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 1995 to January 2010, 23 patients (male:female=15:8, 45.4±15.6 years) underwent a homograft replacement in the aortic position. The surgical techniques used were aortic root replacement in 15 patients and aortic graft interposition in 8 patients. Indications for the use of a homograft were systemic vasculitis (n=15) and complicated infection (n=8). The duration of clinical follow-up was 65±58 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early mortality occurred in 2 patients (8.7%). Perioperative complications included atrial arrhythmia (n=3), acute renal failure (n=3), and low cardiac output syndrome (n=2). Late mortality occurred in 6 patients (26.1%). The overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 66.3% and 59.6%, respectively. Six patients (28.6%) suffered from homograft-related complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early results of homograft replacement in aortic position were favorable. However, close long-term follow-up is required due to the high rate of homograft-related events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
authors.forename: Samina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ho Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kyung-Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki-Bong
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyuk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahn