Durability of pulmonary homografts for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract: how relevant are donor-related factors?

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the influence of donor-related factors on the durability of pulmonary homografts (PHGs) for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction of congenital heart defects.

Methods: Between 1990 and 2016, 223 PHGs were used in 197 patients for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. Long-term durability was investigated in relation to patient- and disease-specific as well as to donor-related factors, based on the PHG replacement rate.