Mechanical failure (leaflet disruption) of a porcine aortic heterograft: rare cause of acute aortic insufficiency.

Use of the Hancock, glutaraldehyde-preserved, stented heterograft for aortic valve replacement has gained wide acceptance in the past 7 years. Nevertheless, very little is known about the long-term mechanical and pathological characteristics following implantation. A rare case is presented in which mechanical valve failure occurred secondary to leaflet disruption in the absence of infection 23 months after implantation. The literature is reviewed and the implications of this unusual complication are discussed.