History of the use of autologous materials in aortic valve surgery

Various types of autologous materials are used in heart valve surgery, particularly the aortic valve, and this article describes their historical development. The evolution of the use of various autogenous tissues, such as the aortic wall, fascia lata of the thigh, pericardium and others is described and discussed in detail. This paper presents the results of experimental and clinical publications devoted to the surgical techniques and the outcomes of heart valve reconstruction using such materials. The negative aspects of the use of a wide range of autografts are discussed, including the short service life and low strength, which led to declining interest in this group of reconstructive interventions. The method for treating the autopericardium with glutaraldehyde, proposed in 1986 by C.S. Love, J.W. Love and colleagues, raised the use of autologous materials in the reconstruction of heart valves to a new level, allowing surgeons to strengthen the autopericardial flaps and increase resistance to hemodynamic stress. Many surgeons, their interest in such treatment methods increased by this discovery, then reported their observations and further developed ways of using the treated autopericardium in aortic valve surgery. Particularly, the method of neocuspidisation of the aortic valve, introduced into wide practice by M.G. Duran and S. Ozaki, has become the quintessential reconstructive valve surgery involving the use of autologous materials.