A homograft is a valve that is transplanted from a deceased person to a recipient. A recipient has minimal problems with valve rejection and they do not require immunosuppressive therapy. A homograft that has been donated must be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen until it is needed. In cases where the valve implants fit the dimensions of the patient correctly, homografts tend to have good hemodynamics and good durability. However, it is not clear whether homografts have better hemodynamics or durability than animal tissue valves.
Autografts are valves taken from the same patient that they are implanted into.
The most common autograft procedure is the Ross procedure, which is used in patients with diseased aortic valves. The dysfunctional aortic valve is removed and the patient's pulmonic valve is then transplanted to the aortic position. A homograft pulmonic valve is usually used to replace the patient's pulmonic valve. The Ross procedure allows the patient the advantage of receiving a living valve in the aortic position. The long term survival and freedom from complications for patients with aortic valve disease are better with the Ross Procedure than any other type of valve replacement.