UNSTENTED SEMILUNAR HOMOGRAFT REPLACEMENT OF TRICUSPID-VALVE IN EBSTEINS MALFORMATION

Tricuspid valve pathology in Ebstein's malformation requires replaceme nt when it is not possible to repair or reconstruct this valve. In sma ller children, in whom the right-sided atrioventricular valve is sever ely dysplastic and right ventricular volume is prohibitive, prosthetic replacement is not always possible. We report here on 3 patients who underwent stentless semilunar homograft replacement (top-hat procedure ) of tricuspid valve for Ebstein's anomaly with good short-term outcom e. This provides an attractive alternative in the management of a cert ain difficult subset of patients, avoids long term anticoagulation and probably is more durable.