ABSTRACT
Introduction The first cases of aortic valve replacement with the aortic homograft were published over 40 years ago, and within 5 years of these reports Donald Ross began his seminal work with the pulmonary autograft.1-3 Persistent work and the gradual accumulation of time have resulted in several large series of patients, some exceeding 25 years of experience, who demonstrate the excellent long-term outcomes that can be achieved with human valves in the aortic position.4-9
The aortic homograft and the pulmonary autograft provide the absolute best haemodynamic performance and are extremely resistant to infection. Although technically challenging to implant, the versatility of these valves allows for application in patients with small aortic root, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and reconstruction of complex root anatomy associated with aggressive infection or congenital malformation.
