Twenty-year durability of the aortic Hancock II bioprosthesis in young patients: is it durable enough?†

There is a current trend towards the use of bioprosthetic aortic valves in the aortic position in young patients, but there is limited information on durability beyond the first decade. The Hancock II bioprosthesis has been reported to have excellent durability in patients ≥ 60 years of age. This study examines the long-term durability of the Hancock II bioprosthesis in the aortic position in patients <60 years of age.