RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: It is hypothesized that decellularization of allografts used for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction may result in decreased valve deterioration. This study compared the durability of fresh decellularized pulmonary allografts with standard cryopreserved pulmonary allografts in patients undergoing the Ross procedure. METHODS: The Ross procedure was performed in 144 patients with decellularized allografts (DA) from 2005 to 2014 and in 619 with standard cryopreserved allografts (SCA) from 1990 to 2014. Propensity score matching was used to compare early and midterm clinical outcome and echocardiographic allograft function over time between the two groups. RESULTS: We matched 94 DA patients (79.3% male; median age, 34.0 years; mean follow-up, 2.4 ± 1.9 years) to 94 SCA patients (78.3% male; median age, 35.0 years; mean follow-up, 9.4 ± 4.2 years). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics after matching. The matched DA vs SCA groups, respectively, were comparable in actuarial 5-year freedom from allograft dysfunction (85.6% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 53.9% to 96.2%] vs 93.3% [95% CI, 85.7% to 96.9%], p = 0.892), freedom from allograft reintervention (98.8% [95% CI, 91.7% to 99.8%] vs 95.5% [95% CI, 88.5% to 98.3%], p = 0.383), survival (95.3% [95% CI, 87.8% to 98.2%] vs 97.7% [95% CI, 91.3% to 99.4%], p = 0.323), and event-free survival (83.5% [95% CI, 70.6% to 91.1%] vs 84.5% [95% CI, 75.2% to 90.5%], p = 0.515). Longitudinal echocardiographic analyses showed a similarly modest increase in allograft gradient and regurgitation grades over time in both groups, although direct statistical comparison was not possible. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 5 years of follow-up, DA and SCA used for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in the Ross procedure are associated with comparably excellent clinical and hemodynamic outcome. Longer follow-up and dedicated echocardiographic studies will shed light on the long-term performance of DAs.
Asunto(s)
Válvula Aórtica , Enfermedades de las Válvulas Cardíacas/cirugía , Implantación de Prótesis de Válvulas Cardíacas/métodos , Válvula Pulmonar/trasplante , Trasplante de Tejidos/métodos , Adulto , Criopreservación , Femenino , Ventrículos Cardíacos/cirugía , Humanos , Masculino , Puntaje de Propensión , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Determine the midterm outcomes of decellularized allografts for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in children less than 12 years of age. METHODS: The study included all consecutive patients submitted to RVOT reconstruction with decellularized allografts between June 2006 and June 2016. Besides clinical and echocardiographic control, 20 patients with more than five years of follow-up were evaluated with computed tomography (CT) scans to determine allograft diameters and calcium scores. Structural valve deterioration was defined as any peak gradient above 40 mm Hg and/or insufficiency of moderate or severe degree. Conduit failure was defined as the need for allograft reintervention. RESULTS: There were 59 patients with a median age of six years (range = 0.01-12 years). The most common operation was the Ross procedure (34%). Mean clinical follow-up was 5.4 (2.8) years and was 94% complete. At eight years, only two patients needed a reintervention, with a 90.9% freedom from this event. Structural valve deterioration occurred in 13 patients, 5 due to stenosis and 8 due to insufficiency, with a freedom from structural valve deterioration due to any cause of 64.9% at eight years. Late CT scans demonstrated the absence or minimal calcification of the conduits. CONCLUSIONS: Decellularized allografts for RVOT reconstruction in children were associated with a low incidence of structural valve deterioration and conduit failure. Although these results still need to be confirmed in larger series and with longer follow-up, our data suggest favorable outcomes, at least in the first decade after the operation.