Inflammation and infection in nine surgically explanted Medtronic Freestyle stentless aortic valves.

摘要: Abstract Background The Medtronic Freestyle valve is fixed in glutaraldehyde at zero pressure on the cusps and treated with α-amino oleic acid. This reportedly has excellent clinical hemodynamic results, but little been reported about its long-term pathology. Methods results Nine valves explanted between 2003 2005 were reviewed to assess reasons for bioprosthesis failure (six implanted our institution). All examined detail, using histochemistry immunohistochemistry identify cellular response. One valve, mitral endocarditis fifth postoperative day, was excluded from analysis. Average implant duration 52.8±35.5 months. Four infective endocarditis, three aortic insufficiency, two stenosis cusp calcification seen five valves, pannus thrombus all a chronic inflammatory reaction involving xenograft arterial wall eight of nine valves. associated significant damage porcine seven cases, myocardial shelf six cases. Conclusions In this series we found (1) endocarditis; (2) pannus, thrombus, calcification; (3) unusual tissue damage, which could by itself lead incompetence.