Surgical Valve Choices for Pulmonary Valve Replacement

Abstract

The range of valve choices available to the cardiac surgeon for placement in the pulmonary position continues to expand. This article will provide a brief compendium of the most clinically relevant among these choices and review the contemporary literature regarding their relative durability as well as risk factors for structural valve deterioration and reintervention. The unique advantages and disadvantages of each of these valve choices will be discussed as they pertain to unique patient-specific factors, including patient size and the anatomy of the right ventricular outflow tract, that inform the choice of one prosthesis over another. Finally, general principles regarding the approach to valve choice, and future directions will be discussed.

Keywords: Bioprosthetic PVR; PVR durability; Pulmonary Ozaki; Pulmonary valve replacement; Pulmonary valve replacement durability; Stentless PVR.