Distensibility of the Pulmonary Autograft under Systemic Pressure
Yukio Okazaki MD, Kyoumi Takarabe MD, Koujirou Furukawa MD, Shinya Higuchi MD, Kazuhisa Rikitake MD, Satoshi Ohtsubo MD, Masafumi Natsuaki MD, Tsuyoshi Itoh MD

This study was designed to evaluate the distensibility of the sinotubular junction (STJ) and basal ring (BR) of the pre-implant pulmonary autograft under static pressures of 20 cm H₂O as a pulmonary circulation pressure and 100 cm H₂O as a systemic pressure. Efficacy of the plications of the STJ and/or BR of the graft to prevent valve insufficiency was also analyzed. The dimensions of the STJ and BR of the pulmonary autograft before implantation without proximal connection to the aortic annulus were significantly enlarged at a static pressure of 100 cm H₂O when compared with those at 20 cm H₂O. Central regurgitation was also observed at 100 cm H₂O related to the dilated STJ and BR. Such valve insufficiencies at 100 cm H₂O were successfully prevented with both the STJ and BR plicated to keep the original dimensions as with 20 cm H₂O.