OBJECTIVE: The long-term durability and hemodynamics of stentless valves are largely unknown. In this study we prospectively analyzed 8-year clinical results with the CryoLife-O'Brien Stentless Aortic Porcine Bioprosthesis (CryoLife Inc, Kennesaw, Ga) and assessed its hemodynamic performance by serial echocardiography. METHODS: A total of 206 patients with a mean age of 72.8 years were followed up prospectively after aortic valve replacement with the CryoLife-O'Brien stentless bioprosthesis. Patients have been followed up from 2 to 96 months for mean 56 months. Echocardiography was performed by a single echocardiographer preoperatively, intraoperatively, postoperatively at discharge, 3 to 6 months later, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: The 30-day operative mortality was 4.8%. Sixty-five percent of patients received a valve 25 mm in diameter or larger, and 37% underwent concomitant coronary bypass grafting. Twelve late deaths, none valve-related, have occurred. Severe aortic insufficiency caused by oversizing led to early reoperation in 3 patients. The peak and mean systolic gradients decreased significantly during the first 12 months after implantation (P < .001), and the effective valve areas increased significantly during this interval (P < .001). At 8 years, 2 patients have mild to moderate aortic insufficiency. The actuarial survival at 8 years was 82% +/- 3%. The freedom from endocarditis was 100%, and the freedom from thromboembolic events was 93%. CONCLUSION: Despite more demanding surgical technique than with conventional bioprostheses, the CryoLife-O'Brien bioprosthesis can be implanted safely in a population predominantly older than 70 years at the time of the operation, with excellent measures of hemodynamics, clinical outcomes, prosthesis durability, and survival through 8 years.
OBJECTIVE: The long-term durability and hemodynamics of stentless valves are largely unknown. In this study we prospectively analyzed 8-year clinical results with the CryoLife-O'Brien Stentless Aortic Porcine Bioprosthesis (CryoLife Inc, Kennesaw, Ga) and assessed its hemodynamic performance by serial echocardiography. METHODS: A total of 206 patients with a mean age of 72.8 years were followed up prospectively after aortic valve replacement with the CryoLife-O'Brien stentless bioprosthesis. Patients have been followed up from 2 to 96 months for mean 56 months. Echocardiography was performed by a single echocardiographer preoperatively, intraoperatively, postoperatively at discharge, 3 to 6 months later, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: The 30-day operative mortality was 4.8%. Sixty-five percent of patients received a valve 25 mm in diameter or larger, and 37% underwent concomitant coronary bypass grafting. Twelve late deaths, none valve-related, have occurred. Severe aortic insufficiency caused by oversizing led to early reoperation in 3 patients. The peak and mean systolic gradients decreased significantly during the first 12 months after implantation (P < .001), and the effective valve areas increased significantly during this interval (P < .001). At 8 years, 2 patients have mild to moderate aortic insufficiency. The actuarial survival at 8 years was 82% +/- 3%. The freedom from endocarditis was 100%, and the freedom from thromboembolic events was 93%. CONCLUSION: Despite more demanding surgical technique than with conventional bioprostheses, the CryoLife-O'Brien bioprosthesis can be implanted safely in a population predominantly older than 70 years at the time of the operation, with excellent measures of hemodynamics, clinical outcomes, prosthesis durability, and survival through 8 years.