Nihon Geka Gakkai zasshi
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Aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure) was pioneered by Donald Ross in 1967. The advantages of the autograft valve include freedom from anticoagulation, hemolysis, and infection, optimal hemodynamic performance, and growth potential. Various materials have been used for the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). ⋯ Pulmonary allografts cannot be utilized in Japan, and thus other valves and materials must be used instead. The acceptance of these procedures has been slow because of the technical demands of the operations and the inherent need for reconstruction of the RVOT, thereby placing two valves at risk. In the past 20 years, the Ross procedure has been increasingly considered for pediatric patients with a wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities.
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Nihon Geka Gakkai zasshi · Mar 2007
Review[Selection of prosthetic heart valves for adult patients by age].
The use of bioprosthetic heart valves has dramatically increased over the last decade. In 2004, the ratio was 52% for mechanical and 48% for bioprosthetic valves in a survey by the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery. This increase in the use of bioprosthetic valves is related to evidence demonstrating the durability of such valves over the last 20 years. ⋯ Thus patients with contraindications to warfarin or a low risk of thromboembolism who are more than 65 years old are reasonable candidates for a bioprosthetic valve. It is also recommended that women of childbearing age receive bioprosthetic valves after being informed of the possibility and risks of reoperation. In addition to the information in the guidelines and physicians' preference for valve selection, factors such as the patient's lifestyle, wishes, cardiac function, other complications, and longevity must always be considered when selecting a valve prosthesis.