Bio-ValsalvaTM prosthesis: 'new' conduit for 'old' patients

• Published in: Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 1062 - 1066
• Main Authors: Di Bartolomeo, Roberto, Botta, Luca, Leone, Alessandro, Pilato, Emanuele, Martin-Suarez, Sofia, Bacchini, Massimo, Pacini, Davide
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Eur Assoc Cardio Surg 01-12-2008; European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
• Subjects: Aortic root replacement; Aortic root aneurysm; Stentless aortic valve
• ISSN: 1569-9293; 1569-9285
• DOI: 10.1510/icvts.2008.187849

Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bologna, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Corresponding author. Tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone]. E-mail address : dpacini{at}hotmail.com (D. Pacini).
A new bio-prosthetic valved conduit (Bio-Valsalva TM ) has recently been introduced into surgical practice in order to offer a valid option for elderly patients undergoing composite aortic root replacement. The conduit is made up of a stentless porcine valve (elan valve) pre-sewn inside a triple layer Valsalva prosthesis and it is entirely preserved in a glutaraldehyde solution. In our Department, 21 patients (16 males, mean age 67.8±5.5 years) underwent aortic root replacement using the Bio-Valsalva TM prosthesis. Composite root replacement was extended to the hemiarch in three cases while a complete arch replacement was performed in two patients. Type A aortic dissection was present in two cases while a bicuspid aortic valve was detected in eight patients. In-hospital mortality was 4.7% (1 patient). Re-thoracotomy for bleeding was performed in one case. The median in-hospital stay was 12 days. The median follow-up was six months and is 100% complete. There were no re-operations or structural deterioration during this early phase of observation. The Bio-Valsalva TM graft, readily available in different sizes, demonstrates ease of implantability and shows good haemostatic characteristics. More patients and a longer follow-up are necessary to confirm the advantages of this graft.
Key Words: Aortic root aneurysm; Stentless aortic valve; Aortic root replacement