Homograft

  In an earlier post, you mentioned something called a "homograft".  Could you please describe this procedure or point me to a reference where I could read about it in detail?  Thanks very much for your time and for this wonderful forum!

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear Jon, thank you for your question.  A homograft is a cryopreserved human cardiac valve that is obtained from a cadaver and is used to replace a diseased valve during a valve replacement surgery.  Homografts are most commonly used to replace the aortic valve in adults but are also used to replace the pulmonic valve in certain congenital cardiac disorders.  Mitral valve homografts have not been very successful so they are not implanted anymore.  The advantages of an aortic valve homograft are: no need for anticoagulation, better hemodynamic adaptation to cardiac physiology, and possibly, greater durability.  The best reference I know of for aortic vavle homografts is:  Staab, ME, et. al. Aortic valve homografts in adults: A clinical perspective.  Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 1998;73(3):231-238.  You could obtain a copy of this article at any medical library.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
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