Evolving experience with cryopreserved mitral valve allografts.

Overview

Allograft valves have been used for aortic valve replacement (AVR) for 35 years with excellent results. Early attempts at mitral valve replacement (MVR) with mitral valve allograft were unsuccessful mainly due to technical issues of measurement of appropriate graft size, difficulty of reimplantation, and early dehiscence of the papillary muscle anastomosis. Recently, interest in this procedure has been rekindled by successful laboratory experiments with mitral valve allograft implantation and improved understanding of the mitral valve apparatus from extensive mitral valve repair experience. In this article, we discuss the rationale for allograft use, the historical perspective of allograft use, and technical problems, along with current solutions and clinical outcomes of MVR with mitral valve allograft. Tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) with allograft mitral valve also is briefly discussed.