title: Single-center experience using the Freedom SOLO aortic bioprosthesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study reviews a single institution experience with the Freedom SOLO (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy) aortic bioprosthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2006 and February 2010, 128 patients (64 men, 64 women; mean age, 75.8 ± 5.1 years) underwent aortic valve replacement using the Freedom SOLO stentless aortic valve. The follow-up time was 36.7 ± 1.2 months and 100% complete.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concomitant procedures were performed in 77 patients (60%). The mean standard European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation was 9 ± 2.7. Grade 3 aortic stenosis was present in 73% of patients, mixed aortic stenosis and regurgitation were present in 40% of patients, and mitral regurgitation was present in 46% of patients. The mean crossclamp time was 53 ± 12 minutes for isolated Freedom SOLO aortic valve implantation and 80 ± 28 minutes for concomitant procedures, and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 103 ± 31 minutes. The mean implanted valve size was 22.6 ± 1.4 mm. The mean intensive care unit and hospital stays were 2.4 ± 1.1 days and 8.8 ± 2.6 days, respectively. Three patients underwent reoperation for bleeding. The 15-day, 30-day, and perioperative mortality were all 4.6%. The 36-month survival was 95.4% ± 1.6% for the cohort with a low European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (<9) and 88.6% ± 1.7% for the cohort with a high European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (>9). Echocardiographic data preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively showed peak transvalvular gradients of 75 ± 23, 17 ± 6, 18 ± 6.5, 16 ± 6, and 16 ± 9 mm Hg, respectively (P < .001), and a mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of 51 ± 7, 50 ± 6, 48 ± 8, 47 ± 6, and 46.5 ± 7.5 mm, respectively (P < .05). There were only 3 cases of early mild aortic regurgitation (grade 1), which remained stable at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Freedom SOLO stentless aortic valve has excellent early and intermediate-term results.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios C
authors: DC
authors: Iliopoulos
authors: Aris Rezar
authors: AR
authors: Deveja
authors: Vasiliki
authors: V
authors: Androutsopoulou
authors: Vasilios
authors: V
authors: Filias
authors: Eleftherios
authors: E
authors: Kastelanos
authors: Vasilios
authors: V
authors: Satratzemis
authors: Zain
authors: Z
authors: Khalpey
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Koudoumas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design