Tricuspid dura mater bioprostheses: More than 20-year follow-up of 3 patients

Replacement of the tricuspid valve is sometimes necessary. We report 3 cons ecutive patients with tricuspid insufficiency who underwent valve replaceme nt with glycerol-preserved, homologous dura mater cardiac bioprostheses bet ween 1971 and 1973. The first 2 patients are well 28 and 27 years later; th e last patient was lost to follow-up after 20 years. We conclude that prese rvation of homologous dura mater bioprostheses in glycerol may reduce rates of thromboembolism, thrombosis, and structural dysfunction during the late postoperative period. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.