. A homograft (also called allograft) is a valve that has been removed from a donated human heart, preserved and frozen in liquid nitrogen under sterile conditions. Both aortic and pulmonary artery valves can be removed from the same heart.
Homografts are particularly useful for surgical repair of babies who are born with complete absence of proximal portion of lung arteries (pulmonary atresia truncus arteriosis) Homograft is an ideal valve for aortic valve replacement, especially in growing children, unmarried women, in valvular infections etc. Here the heart's natural anatomy is preserved and patients do not need to be on any blood-thinner medications. Although the limited availability is a drawback in some settings, Frontier Lifeline maintains a large supply and has extensive experience with these valves.
Speaking on the achievement, Dr.K.M.Cherian, Chairman, Frontier Lifeline Hospital said, “There are not many homograft valve banks in India and Frontier Lifeline operates the busiest homograft valve bank in the country. These valves can be harvested from non-viable hearts, ideally within 24 hours and sometimes even up to 48 hours if the body has been preserved well under optimum conditions. If blood groups match between donor and recipient hearts, the results after grafting are even better. De-cellularization improves the outcome even further; this is what Frontier Lifeline already does as a matter of course in their state-of-the-
Whenever a transplant is undertaken, the recipient’s explanted heart usually offers opportunities for harvesting both the valves. In the event of the availability of an immediate recipient for the freshly harvested valves – a homovital transplant is done whereby the recipient benefits instantly. Frontier Lifeline had the opportunity to do such a homovital transplant for the first time in India, during the occasion of one of their recent heart transplant surgeries, thus benefiting two patients simultaneously.
The economic benefits of maintaining an own homograft valve bank are tremendous. Earlier these valves were imported from UK, at the cost of £750/-. This exorbitant rate coupled with the introduction of laws has always discouraged regular usage. Now, the ease of availability of homograft valves is a godsend especially for children as they do not require anti-coagulation medication. This concept was started in 1987 through the initiative taken by Dr. K. M. Cherian; now Frontier Lifeline has one of the largest homograft valve banks in India and has successfully benefited over a 100 patients till date.
“This initiative would not have succeeded to this extent if it were not for the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The wider vision and pioneering spirit advocated by our forward thinking government will definitely encourage the initiation of more and more homograft valve banks in our State and nation”, added Dr.K.M.Cherian.
