Evaluation of hemolysis following replacement of atrioventricular valves with procine xenograft (Hancock) valves.

Twenty-two patients who had undergone valve replacement with the porcine xenograft were studied 6 to 62 months postoperatively (mean 30.5 months) for evidence of intravascular hemolysis. Hemolysis was not detected in any patient and postoperative red cell indices and iron studies were normal for the majority of patients. Five patients had significantly elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) values preoperatively which returned to normal following operation. Our evidence suggests that the glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine xenograft valve does not cause detectable hemolysis.