Homograft survival after tetralogy of Fallot repair: determinants of accelerated homograft degeneration

Abstract

Homograft survival in patients with TOF repair is quite good. However, some patients develop accelerated homograft degeneration. We found that the gradient of the homograft 1 month after surgery is most indicative of accelerated homograft degeneration. We hypothesize that mechanical, not immunological, factors play an important role in homograft degeneration.