PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TORONTO SPV STENTLESS PORCINE BIOPROSTHESIS FOR AORTIC-VALVE REPLACEMENT

From November 1992 to March 1993 fourteen patients received the Toront o SPV stentless porcine xenograft as aortic valve replacement. Median age was 56 years (range 32-70 years). 7 patients were male and 7 femal e. Implanted valve sizes ranged from 23 mm to 29 mm, the majority of p atients received valves with 27 and 29 mm tissue diameter. A learning process was evident by aortic crossclamp time decreasing with experien ce. No valve-related mortality or morbidity occurred. Postoperatively echocardiography showed near normal valve performance in most patients . The longevity of the valve, however, still has to be established. Me anwhile we continue the implant of stentless bioprostheses as aortic v alve substitutes in selected patients.