Tricuspid dura mater bioprostheses: more than 20-year follow-up of 3 patients

Replacement of the tricuspid valve is sometimes necessary. We report 3 consecutive patients with tricuspid insufficiency who underwent valve replacement with glycerol-preserved, homologous dura mater cardiac bioprostheses between 1971 and 1973. The first 2 patients are well 28 and 27 years later; the last patient was lost to follow-up after 20 years. We conclude that preservation of homologous dura mater bioprostheses in glycerol may reduce rates of thromboembolism, thrombosis, and structural dysfunction during the late postoperative period.