Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using a goretex membrane monocusp valve in infant animals

We examined the feasibility of using a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (go retex) valve and transannular patch (TAP) for right ventricular outflow tra ct (RVOT) reconstruction in growing animal models. Eleven infant goats (Gro up A) and 12 infant sheep (Croup B) underwent RVOT reconstruction under car diopulmonary bypass. In Group A, a monocusp valve was constructed of gorete x, and the RVOT was roofed over utilizing a TAP of bovine pericardium. In G roup B, both a monocusp valve and a TAP were constructed of goretex. Animal s were sacrificed at 6 or 12 postoperative months. Two goats in Group A die d at 9 days and 4 months postoperatively due to RVOT obstruction caused by thrombus formation. Seven goats in Group A and 11 in Group B showed no pres sure gradient across the valve. All animals in Group B revealed mild to mod erate valvular insufficiency, but no ventricular deterioration. In contrast to the bovine pericardium, which showed a prominent fibroinflammatory reac tion with calcified areas causing TAP shrinkage and RVOT stenosis, there wa s minimal calcification and inflammatory reaction directed against the gore tex valve and TAP. We conclude that goretex can be used as a material from which to create both a monocusp valve and TAP for long-term RVOT reconstruc tion.