title: Lipid insudation as a cause of structural failure of a stentless pericardial bioprosthesis.
abstract: The Sorin Pericarbon Freedom (SPF) valve is a stentless bioprosthesis made from bovine pericardium, with a peculiar design aimed at preventing the mechanical failures observed with old models of stented pericardial bioprostheses. Herein, the case is described of a patient who presented with severe regurgitation of a SPF six years after aortic valve replacement, caused by commissural dehiscence. Both, microradiographic and histologic investigations, revealed mild calcific deposits and massive lipid infiltration, thus confirming that a patient-related mechanism such as 'atheromasia' can account for structural valve deterioration also in recipients of pericardial bioprostheses.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa Medical School, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravenni
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pratali
authors.forename: Mila
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Della Barbera
authors.forename: Marialuisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thiene
authors.forename: Uberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bortolotti
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002417:Cattle; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D052439:Lipid Metabolism Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000637:transplantation