Sterilization and preservation for aortic-valve transplantation

Recent advances in modern technology1 expertise and surgical enterprise hove contributed to the solution of may problems in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Among these the surgical treatment of heart-valvedysfunctionby valve replacement has become possible (Murray, 1956; Ross, 1962; Starr and Edwards, 1961; Barrett-Boyes, 1964). Today transplantation of valves is an accepted surgical treatment next to corrective valve surgery and conservative therapy in the management of heart-valve disease. Heart-valve replacement becomes a necessity in case of congenital or aquired stenosis or insufficiency, if conservative treatment cannot prevent a progression of the lesions. In the decision for valve replacement the degree of invalidity experienced by ti-e patient is a major factor together with myocardial performance, No valve currently available for valve replacement fulfils the criteria for an ideal valve.