Stentless valved conduit bioprostheses for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction

AIM: To explore the efficacy and safety of new stentless valved conduit bioprostheses (SVCB) in right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction. METHODS: ROVT reconstruction was performed with SVCB in seven patients (six cases of Rastelli and one case of Nikaidoh) between November 2007 and May 2008. The implanted SVCB was evaluated by Doppler echocardiography after operation with the following parameters: pulmonary artery pressure, flow velocity, pulmonary transvalvular pressure gradient (PG), valvular orifice area, regurgitation, conduit diameter, dilatation and remote anastomotic pressure gradient. RESULTS: All seven patients evolved well postoperatively without valved conduit-related complications such as anastomotic bleeding, endocarditis, and thromboembolism. By serial sonography, no apparent signs of valve regurgitation, degeneration or calcification were observed in the conduit during the entire follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The new type of SVCB demonstrates good flexibility, easy perioperative surgical handling and less postoperative rejection. It has good anti-regurgitation and PG effect post-operation, which facilitates cardiac function recovery.