Blueprint for Transplanting Heart Valves that Grow with the Child
Research By: Awais Ashfaq, MD
Post Date: December 19, 2025 | Publish Date: November 2025
Experts at Cincinnati Children’s are reporting positive results from its Living Allogenic Valve Program—and have published a “blueprint” other centers can use to set up similar programs.
So far, two patients have received a living valve at Cincinnati Children’s, including one who has a growing valve seven months out from surgery. The potential advantage of the new approach is that living valves can grow with the child.
“Basically, anyone younger than a teenager who has a valve issue that needs replaced, we’re considering them for a living valve,” says Awais Ashfaq, MD, a congenital cardiac surgeon in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery. “If the valves are growing, the kids could avoid potentially a lot of surgeries. That’s the biggest draw for us.”
While launching the program, the team sorted through a number of logistical issues, including legal considerations, identification banking and reimbursement. In the process, they drafted a blueprint for other institutions to reference.
“We wanted to create something that we found helpful, and we hope others use and adapt it,” Ashfaq says.
Read more about this new program
Don’t Miss a Post:
- Subscribe to the Research Horizons Newsletter
- Follow Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation on Bluesky, X and LinkedIn
| Original title: | A structured institutional framework for establishing a living allogenic valve transplant program |
| Published in: | JHLT Open |
| Publish date: | November 2025 |
Research By
As a researcher, I aim to discover innovative ways to utilize organs or parts of organs for transplant and improve and optimize approaches to aortic valve repair.
Latest Posts
About this blog
The Research Horizons blog features news and insights about the latest discoveries and innovations developed by the scientists of Cincinnati Children's. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Email researchnews@cchmc.org with questions or ideas.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter