HOMOTRANSPLANTATION OF THE MITRAL VALVE PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTAL REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE *

Summary The experimental and clinical literature on the use of homograft cardiac valves has been reviewed. The variable canine results over the last decade have partly been responsible for the present day guarded, slow and apprehensive acceptance of homotrans‐plantation of human cardiac valves. Most of the experimental failures appear to be due to bacterial invasion or valve disruption from the annulus because of technical reasons. Early or intermediate rejection phenomena do not occur. Late degenerative changes in the homograft may develop. However, the available small but acceptable evidence of long‐term human studies suggests that degeneration, if it is to occur at all, will take many years. Our preliminary experimental observations on homotransplantation of the canine mitrale valve using fresh and acid formaldehyde preserved valves, have been outlined. I t wouldappear that the transplantation is a feasible technical operation in dogs and that the homografts are capable of continued function. The technical difficulties of suturing Further studies are necessary to assess the long‐term results of the homograft mitral valves using various methods of preservation. Providing these results are also favour able, clinical application of this work would then appear justifiable.