When Repair is not Feasible: Prosthesis Selection in Children and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart surgeons face many challenges when dealing with valvular pathology in the pediatric population. Because of the concerns related to growth, repair should be the main goal. However, this is not always feasible and valve replacement becomes the only other alternative. Valve replacement also represents one of the most common procedures performed for adults with congenital heart disease, with several valve options existing including homografts, xenografts, autografts, and other artificial prostheses. The choice sometimes may be difficult because there are advantages and disadvantages to each valve substitute. In this article, we will address the different options of valve replacement in children and adults with congenital heart disease, and review the current literature that supports current practice.