Human leukocyte antigen-DR and ABO mismatch are associated with accelerated homograft valve failure in children: implications for therapeutic interventions.

Objective: This study examines the incidence and factors associated with the failure of homograft valves and identifies those factors that are modifiable.

Methods: From 1990 to 2001, 96 homograft valves were implanted in the right ventricular outflow tract of 83 children (mean age 5.1 +/- 5.