Fifty years of the pericardial valve: Long‐term results in the aortic position

Abstract

It is now 50 years since the development of the first pericardial valve in 1971. In this time significant progress has been made in refining valve design aimed at improving the longevity of the prostheses. This article reviews the current literature regarding the longevity of pericardial heart valves in the aortic position. Side by side comparisons of freedom from structural valve degeneration are made for the valves most commonly used in clinical practice today, including stented, stentless, and sutureless valves. Strategies to reduce structural valve degeneration are also discussed including methods of tissue fixation and anti‐calcification, ways to minimise mechanical stress on the valve, and the role of patient prosthesis mismatch.

Macroscopic and microscopic features of surgically explanted transcatheter aortic valve prostheses

“…Such information could explain the pathophysiology of TAV degeneration and more specifically SVD. However, rates of SVD of surgical valve prostheses have been described in numerous studies [30][31][32][33][34] ranging from 6.6% to 21.5%. Hemodynamic valve deterioration has also been described by Salaun et al with rates ranging from 13.1% to 30.9% over 6-to 10year follow-ups.…”

Immobilized Bisphosphonates as Potential Inhibitors of Bioprosthetic Calcification: Effects on Various Xenogeneic Cardiovascular Tissues

“…However, it is well known that GA treatment leads to massive deposition of calcium phosphates in xenogeneic materials, and despite decades of active research, the mechanism of calcification remains unclear [ 3 , 4 ]. Methods to prevent bioprosthetic calcification, including the use of surfactants, trivalent cations, aminooleic acid, and alcohols, have not yet been introduced in surgery or have not received an unambiguous assessment of long-term clinical results [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. For biomaterials consisting predominantly of collagen, the most effective approach is non-GA cross-linking using genipin, carbodiimide, epoxides, or methacrylates [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”