Decellularization as a method to reduce calcification in bovine pericardium bioprosthetic valves.

Objectives: Decellularization is an alternative method for processing biological tissues with decreased antigenicity and resistance to calcification. The aim of this study was to characterize the properties of decellularized (dCell) bovine pericardium fixed with 0.1% glutaraldehyde (GA) and to evaluate outcomes of bioprosthetic valves constructed with this tissue when implanted in the mitral position of juvenile sheep.

Initial Surgical Experience with Aortic Valve Repair: Clinical and Echocardiographic Results.

Introduction: Due to late complications associated with the use of conventional prosthetic heart valves, several centers have advocated aortic valve repair and/or valve sparing aortic root replacement for patients with aortic valve insufficiency, in order to enhance late survival and minimize adverse postoperative events.

Methods: From March/2012 thru March 2015, 37 patients consecutively underwent conservative operations of the aortic valve and/or aortic root. Mean age was 48±16 years and 81% were males.

Initial experience with minimally invasive cardiac operations.

Background: Minimally invasive cardiovascular operations have been proposed as an alternative method to correct several cardiac congenital and acquired heart diseases, with the aim to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: Describe the two years initial experience with minimally invasive operations, with emphasis on technical aspects and the learning curve.

Methods: Between July 2009 and March 2012, 95 patients were operated using minimally invasive operations.

Effect of SDS-based decelullarization in the prevention of calcification in glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium: study in rats.

Objective: The aim of study was to investigate the SDS-based decellularization process as an anticalcification method in glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium in subcutaneous rat model.

Methods: Pericardium samples with 0.5 cm² area were divide in four groups: group GDA: 0.

Aortic valve replacement with the Cardioprotese Premium bovine pericardium bioprosthesis: four-year clinical results.

Objectives: This study reports the initial clinical and echocardiographic results of the Premium bioprosthetic aortic valve up to 4 years of follow-up.

Methods: Between October 2007 and July 2011, 121 consecutive patients were submitted for aortic valve replacement with the Premium bioprosthetic valve. The mean age was 68 ± 9 years and 64 patients were males.

Decellularization as an anticalcification method in stentless bovine pericardium valve prosthesis: a study in sheep.

Objective: The objective was to analyze the decellularization process with SDS in glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium as an anticalcification method in a circulatory sheep model.

Methods: The valved tubs were implanted in pulmonary artery position in sheep by 180 days. The animals were divided in two groups of 8 animals: control group--glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium and the study group--decellularized bovine pericardium with 0,1% SDS and glutaraldehyde-preserved.

Thirteen years' experience with the Ross Operation.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to evaluate 13 years' results of the Ross operation, with special attention paid to the late function of the pulmonary autograft (PA) and the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) allograft, in an attempt to identify risk factors that might significantly influence their late performance.

Methods: Between May 1995 and March 2006, a total of 272 patients (mean age 30 +/- 11 years) was submitted to a Ross operation at the authors' institution. The most prevalent etiology was rheumatic disease (47%).

L-glutamic acid in the prevention of the calcification of bovine pericardial fixed in glutaraldehyde: study in rats.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of L-glutamic acid to prevent calcification of glutaraldehyde bovine pericardium implanted in rats' subcutaneous tissues.

Methods: Fifty four Wistar rats were divided in six groups according to the type of the bovine pericardium implanted. At first, all pericardia were initially cross-linked with 0.

Ten-year experience with the Ross operation.

Objective: To evaluate the 10-year outcomes of the Ross Operation, analyzing survival rate, incidence of reoperations, and late performance of pulmonary autografts and homografts in the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty seven patients with a mean age of 29.1 +/- 11 years underwent Ross operation from May 1995 to February 2005.