Treated bovine and autologous pericardium for aortic valve reconstruction

Background. To determine the differences in clinical behavior of bovine ver sus autologous pericardium, all consecutive patients undergoing aortic valv e reconstruction were reviewed. Methods. Between October 1988 and December 1995, 91 patients (mean age 30 y ears) underwent reconstruction with bovine (n = 27) or autologous (n = 64) pericardium. Results. There were 2 hospital deaths, 5 late deaths, and no embolic events . Dysfunction of the aortic reconstruction required reoperation in 6 bovine (infection 1, fibrocalcific 5) and in 5 autologous (infection 3, annulus d ilatation 1, commissural tear 1). Actuarial survival and freedom from struc tural deterioration at 8 years were 82.2% +/- 9.6% and 76.2% +/- 10.7% for bovine and 91.05%; +/- 3.96% and 96.8% +/- 2.25% for autologous pericardium , respectively. The last Doppler echocardiographic study showed a mean regu rgitation (1 to 4+) and gradient in the bovine pericardium of 1.25 +/- and 20.7 mm Hg and in the autologous pericardium of 1+ and 7.7 mm Hg. Conclusions. Aortic valve reconstruction with pericardium can be safely per formed with low thromboembolic rate. At 8 years follow up, there is a diffe rence in favor of the autologous pericardium. (C) 1998 by The Society of Th oracic Surgeons.