Different conduits for the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in adults during the Ross procedure

We compared different conduits for the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOT) in adults during the Ross procedure. Between 1998 and 2012, 586 consecutive adult patients underwent the Ross procedures. Mean age was 45,5±14,2 years. The RVOT was reconstructed with a diepoxy-treated xenografts in 372 and with glutaraldehyde-treated in 88 patients. A pulmonary homograft was used in 125 patients. Hospital mortality was 4,9%. Mean follow up was 43,2±16,9 months. At discharge systolic gradient was 8,1 ± 3,7 mm.Hg for the pulmonary homograft, 11,4±4,7 mm.Hg for the diepoxytreated and 14,9±6,1 mm.Hg for the glutaraldehyde-treated xenopericardial conduits. Twenty eight patients underwent reoperation. The 3-year actuarial freedom from conduit explantation for pulmonary homograft was 100%, for diepoxy- and glutaraldehyde-treated xenopericardial conduits 99,2±0,7% and 84,7±4,7% respectively. Multivariable analysis identified the type of xenograft and age as independent factors for xenograft dysfunction. Results from this study show that the pulmonary homograft is the most preferred conduit for the RVOT reconstruction during the Ross procedure. The diepoxy-treated xenopericardial conduits are acceptable alternative to the homograft in patients older 45 years.