The Cryolife-O'Brien composite aortic stentless xenograft: surgical technique of implantation.

The Cryolife-O'Brien (Cryolife International, Atlanta, GA; formerly the Bravo Cardiovascular Inc valve) stentless porcine aortic xenograft (model 300) is a composite valve of three noncoronary leaflets, symmetric in configuration with a broad coaptive leaflet surface. Because the valve has only a superior aortic wall cuff, a single continuous suture line of 3/0 Prolene provides a rapid, safe implantation. The ideal recipients are elderly patients, who benefit from a short cardiopulmonary bypass period and whose degenerative calcific valves are generally symmetric. The step-by-step technique of implantation is outlined, as are the principles of maintaining symmetry during implantation. The stentless valve has been used for aortic valve replacement in 55 elderly patients, with no deaths and minimal morbidity.