Aortic valve re-implantation technique with Gelweave Valsalva prosthesis: safety, reproducibility and pitfalls of a geometric reconstruction.

Background: To evaluate the safety, reproducibility and pitfalls of an aortic valve re-implantation (AVRei) technique.

Methods: From June 2005 to December 2008, 30 patients underwent aortic valve-sparing re-implantation with Gelweave Valsalva prosthesis. Mean age was 66 +/- 7 years (range 47-81).