Abstract
A most important factor in the durability of porcine aortic valves used as replacements for human heart valves is the use of glutaraldehyde preservation. It appears that such a preparation becomes a nonviable but stable and complex polymer with excellent mechanical properties. Twenty out of 31 formalin-preserved stented porcine aortic valves placed in the aortic and atrioventricular position in 30 patients failed within 4 years due to detachment of one or more commissures, separation of the xenograft aortic valve from the stent, or perforation of one or more leaflets. One hundred thirty-seven stented porcine aortic valves that had been preserved in glutaraldehyde were inserted in the aortic position in 89 patients and in the mitral position in 48 patients. There have been no valve failures within 45 months of follow-up: 51 patients have been followed for more than 30 months, 33 beyond 3 years, and 5 are nearing the 4-year mark.
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