ABSTRACT
Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract for congenital cardiac defects, including the Ross operation, is generally performed with the use of a homograft. Its limited availability, however, keeps us searching for a readily available alternative with comparable haemodynamic characteristics and longevity. The stentless aortic xenograft with its superior haemodynamics and expected favourable durability appears a promising substitute.1-3 Before embarking on its clinical use for right ventricular outflow reconstruction, we decided to assess the valve in the growing pig, in which the results of left-sided implantation have been shown to produce excellent, reproducible results.4
