Objectives: Heart valve allografts have been used since 1962. Cryopreservation was introduced in 1975 by O’Brian. European Homograft Bank as International Association has been banking cryopreserved valve allografts since 1989.
Methods: Heart donors were living heart-beating multiorgan donors and recipients of heart transplantation or cadavers up to 65 years of age. Past history and biology are checked for donor rejection criteria. Tissue dissection in Class A laminar flow, incubation in low concentration antibiotic cocktail, cryoppreservation in 10% DMSO and storage in vapours of liquid nitrogen. Indications are discussed with implanting surgeon. Shipment to implanting center is carried out in dry shipper at -150°C or dry ice at -76°C. Implanting surgeon sends to EHB traceability sheet and discharge form.
Results: 4513 hearts were sent to EHB from different procurement centers. 5388 aortic, pulmonary and mitral valves were cryopreserved. 4600 allografts: 1835 aortic, 2717 pulmonary and 48 mitral were implanted in 13 Belgian, 23 other EU and 5 other centers for different indications. 3095 allografts were used for RVOTR, 1457 for LVOTR, 31 for MVR and 17 for TVR. 1378 allografts are used for Ross operation.
Conclusions: EHB is only active heart valve bank in Belgium with international activity. Discussion between implanting surgeon and EHB responsible facilitates choice of allograft. Shipment in dry shipper guaranties safe storage temperature until its use and possibility of safe return if not implanted. Allograft traceability is obligatory for tissue bankers. Insufficient follow up information slows down tissue banking research. Study of explanted allografts is important for evaluation of their durability.