The tendency to replace a native aortic or mitral valve with a biological valve prosthesis has been increasing in recent decades. These can not be implanted in any type of patient, as they are recommended only in patients who do not wish to take anticoagulants, are very athletic, with a history of coagulopathy, women who seek pregnancy, with a medical history and, above all, with advanced age. Except for the first three months, carriers of this type of valve do not have to take any special medication, which helps lead a life very close to normal.

The main drawback of biological prostheses is their duration: 12-15 years. After that time they have to be replaced, as they are calcified or damaged, although their durability has improved. That is why, the older the patient, the more durable the valve, since the metabolism of calcium in the blood decreases and does not calcify so quickly. In addition, currently a second surgery has lower risks than before, the incidence of post-surgical complications are also lower and the patient does not have to change their lifestyle after surgery.

Now, what does our Labcor Dokimos Plus valve contribute to the others?

Most biological valves offer very similar results, so their differences tend to stand out in their structures or in the gradient. In this case, the Dokimos Plus valves are manufactured by bovine pericardium, tricomposed and with a low scalloped profile, which facilitates implantation in the intra-annular and supra-annular aortic position. The valve is composed of three pre-cut bovine pericardium valves fixed in a glutaraldehyde solution buffered at zero pressure to preserve structural integrity. These, in turn, are mounted on a scalloped and flexible polymer stent that is covered with polyester fabric, and the suture ring is composed of a silicone ring covered with polyester fabric.

At the time of manufacture, a special treatment, called Reducer®, of bovine pericardium, intervenes, which increases the stability of the tissue and optimizes the cross-linking, increasing the biological stability of the tissue, apart from reducing the antigenicity and the lipid content.

A bovine pericardial aortic bioprosthesis Dokimos Plus, for example, has a larger Effective Valvular Area in comparison, size by size, with another currently existing in the market. Regarding its gradients, a recently published study showed that Dokimos prostheses offer a satisfactory overall performance, presenting low gradients and IVDs, as well as high AEOI *, in 23 mm, 21 mm, 25 mm and 27 mm prostheses.

Basically, the important thing about a biological valve is that it contributes the best possible quality of life to the patient. That is why we at Cardiolink rely on valves like Dokimos Plus from Labcor. Ask us for more information!