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Bio-Valsalva^TM prosthesis: ‘new’ conduit for ‘old’ patients

Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bologna, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy

Corresponding author. Tel.: +39-051-6363361; fax: +39-051-345990.

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