To overcome the specific disadvantages of mechanical valves and stented bioprostheses,
we implanted a stentless xenogeneic aortic valve in a patient with calcif ied aortic
Stenosis. The postoperative study revealed a pressure gradient of 25 mmHg, a minor
insufficiency of 10% of total stroke volume and a slightly restricted motion of the
teaflets. Although the implantation of a stentless xenogeneic aortic valve is feasible,
one should be aware of the specific technical difficulties due to the increased rigidity
of the fixed tissue, which is not known in homografts. To our knowledge this is the
first report on the implantation of a stentless xenogeneic aortic valve.
Aortic valve replacement - Stentless xenograft
