A new aortic root prosthesis with compliant sinuses for valve sparing operations

We designed a new aortic root prosthesis, using the existing dacron tube graft material, which has compliant sinuses similar to those in the natural aortic root. The prosthesis was used to replace the aorta and the sinuses in the valve sparing operation in 4 human and 7 porcine aortic roots. The dynamics of the aortic graft root and the leaflets were studied in a left heart simulator. Both, the movement of the leaflets and of the commissures during a cardiac cycle was similar to that in the natural aortic root. Hence, the new prosthesis offers the most natural conditions to the functioning aortic leaflets and thus is expected to enhance longevity of the leaflets in the valve sparing operation.