The CryoLife O'Brien stentless porcine aortic bioprosthesis: 5-year follow-up

Background. Mortality, morbidity, complication rates, and echo hemodynamic results using the Cryolife O'Brien stentless aortic bioprosthesis over a 5- year period are reported. Methods. The stentless valve was implanted in 97 consecutive patients, 54 m ale and 43 female, mean age 70.9 +/- 6.5 years. All patients underwent preo perative, discharge (early study), 6-month (intermediate study), and late ( 18.3 +/- 10.4 months) echocardiography. Results. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 93.9% +/- 3%. Aortic regurg itation was absent in 95.5%, mild in 3.4%, and moderate in 1.1%. Peak and m ean systolic gradients were significantly lower at discharge (p < 0.001) an d at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001) but did not significantly fall furth er at the late study (p = NS). The effective orifice area index at discharg e (p < 0.001) and at 6 months (p < 0.001) differed significantly from preop erative values, but variations at late study were not significant (p = NS). Left ventricular mass index decreased early postoperatively (p < 0.001) an d at 6-month assessment (p < 0.001) with a further significant reduction at late echocardiography (p = 0.04). Conclusions. The 5-year results of this stentless valve showed a low rate o f valve-related complications with excellent hemodynamic performance in all valve sizes. (Ann Thorac Surg 2001;71:86-91) (C) 2001 by The Society of Th oracic Surgeons.