European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 4, 431-433, Copyright © 1990 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
Morphological comparison of primary tissue failure (PTF) in porcine mitral and aortic bioprostheses in the same patient
S Pansini, GM Ottino, M Galloni, PG Forsennati, G Serpieri and M Morea
Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Turin, Italy.
Clinical and pathological studies have not clearly demonstrated whether
primary tissue failure (PTF) in porcine bioprostheses occurs more often in
the mitral than in the aortic position. We have studied morphological
alterations in both positions in the same individual in 15 patients (14
mitroaortic and 1 mitroaortotricuspid) reoperated upon for PTF.
Bioprostheses explanted were photographed, radiographed and observed in
transmitted polarizing light. All lesions received a score on the basis of
morphological criteria. The creep of the stent was measured. Calcification
was slightly heavier and the degree of creep was significantly greater in
the mitral position. Tears, infiltration and pannus growth did not differ
between the two positions. According to our study, there is no conclusive
demonstration that bioprostheses degenerate earlier and more extensively in
the mitral than in the aortic position.
