Historical aspects of aortic valve replacement using autologous pericardium: do we know everything?

Highlights. The article describes the contribution of foreign and Russian surgeons to the development of aortic valve replacement using autologous tissue, and presents the evolution of the technique. The authors tried to answer the question whether the Japanese professor S. Ozaki actually developed something new or the discovery was already made 40 years ago. At the end of the article, the technique developed by a Russian cardiac surgeon is presented, casting doubt on the use of templates in this procedure.Abstract. Aortic valve replacement using autologous pericardium (neocuspidalization) is becoming an increasingly attractive option that can be applied to a wide range of aortic valve diseases. This technique avoids the need for lifelong administration of anticoagulant drugs, and provides the maximum effective orifice area, resulting in a low transvalvular gradient. The new technique, introduced by Shigeyuki Ozaki, has made the procedure more reproducible with promising medium- and longterm results. But is Ozaki the predecessor of this technique or is “all new is well forgotten old”? This review focuses on the historical aspects of the development of neocuspidalization of the aortic valve using autologous pericardium, the first interventions for valve reconstruction are mentioned, the evolution in the technique of preparation and fixation of the leaflets is reflected.