The surgical results of bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement in the 1960s and 1970s were not very satisfactory. The search for the ideal substitute for the diseased aortic valve led Donald Ross to develop the concept of the aortic allograft in 1962 and the pulmonary autograft in 1967 for subcoronary implantation, and later, in 1972, as a full root for replacing the aortic root in the infected aortic valve with a root abscess. The aortic al- graft and pulmonary autograft surgical procedures were revo- tionary in the history of cardiac valve surgery in the last m- lennium because they compete...

This volume highlights the controversy about freehand subcoronary aortic valve and root replacement with regard to postoperative morbidity and long-term durability. It discusses particular implantation techniques of preference in young patients and in different root pathology. Other chapters address intermediate- and long-term results on cardiac valve and vascular homografts for treating complicating cardiac valve and aortic infections.

Marfan Syndrome is a hereditary disorder of connective tissue which primarily affects the eyes, skeleton, blood vessels, and various structures of the heart.
Since 1943, when the cardiovascular manifestations of Marfan Syndrome were first described, understanding of its nature, diagnostic tools, and surgical treatment have been remarkably improved. Although the specific surgical procedures have reached an advanced standard and general acceptance, many questions remain unanswered and have given rise to ongoing controversy.
Cardiovascular Aspects of Marfan Syndrome presents the...

Advances in heart surgical treatment have been impressive in the last 15 years. In end-stage heart disease, procedures are now performed routinely which were only experimental one or two decades ago. Heart transplantation has become a well-established procedure. According to the Gen eral Registry of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 40,738 heart transplantations had been performed through the end of 1997 with survival rates of 78 % at one year, 65 % at five years, and 42 % at ten years. The progress in this field has been due to intense efforts in understanding and...

CARDIAC VALVE ALLOGRAFTS (HOMOGRAFTS) highlights the current controversy about freehand subcoronary aortic valve and root replacement with regard to postoperative morbidity and long term durability. It discusses particular implantation techniques of preference in young patients and in different root pathology. Other chapters address intermediate- and long-term results on cardiac valve and vascular homografts for treating complicating cardiac valve and aortic infections.
The chapter on basic science additionally makes this book a highly authoritative reference source for...

The Mitral Valve Repair session was postponed to June 2009 and was featured as the Berlin Mitral Valve Symposium at the joint meeting of the Society for Heart Valve Diseases and the Heart Valve Society of America in Berlin.