Is use of the pulmonary valve allograft justified as an aortic valve substitute?

Between January 1, 1990, and March 20, 1994, 56 patients had a homograft valve device placed in the aortic position. The mean age at operation was 53.3 years (range 5-77 years). Diagnosis included dominant aortic stenosis in 27 patients (48.2%) and aortic incompetence in 29 (51.8%). Thirteen patients (23.2%) had subacute bacterial endocarditis. Forty-three aortic homografts and 13 pulmonary homografts were placed. Concomitant procedures were performed in 12 patients (21.8%). The hospital mortality was 7.3% (four patients). On follow-up, three pulmonary valves have failed, two between 1 and 5 weeks post implantation. At reoperation a linear cusp fracture was found in all with no evidence of infection. All remaining patients have no, trivial, or mild, aortic regurgitation on echo and remain well. Pulmonary and aortic valves were compared for failure, P=0.02 suggesting a significant difference between valve substitutes. In conclusion we advise caution in using pulmonary allografts in the aortic position.