Valve dysfunction in right side implanted bioprostheses can be caused by fibrous sheathing and cusp retraction. A scoring system was employed to grade the macroscopic appearance of the cusp retraction. Stentless porcine aortic valves exhibit less cusp retraction when implanted in right-sided position than stented porcine aortic valves.
Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company