Actuarial analysis of a uniform and reliable preservation method for viable heart valve allografts.

CryoLife has developed a method for cryopreserving allograft heart valves for transplantation. Since 1984, 6,907 valves have been processed and 4,216 transplanted. Documentation was available on 2,647 transplants, 11 of which were removed for structural deterioration and 13, for nonstructural deterioration. At the end of 35 months, actuarial survival was 99.17% and the estimated freedom from reoperation, 97.16%. There have been no reports of thromboembolism or valve-related death.