Tissue engineered valves and conduits have always been my big hope for Justin, hopefully that would be the last valve/conduit he would need. The fact in theory they may be able to place them by cath instead of another OHS is even more exciting, but even knowing that OHS might be the last needed would be huge. Alto I think itwill be a VERY log time before they could growa whole heart, valves where they "just" have to strip valves down to their scaffold and grow the persons cells on it and does involve alot o f electrical, muscle that pumps etc, seems much more doable.
They've been working on them quite a while now, I know a family whose daughter has a heart close to Justin's and had the same "main' surgery as a baby, that sent up an org about 10 years ago, that fundraises JUST to help with the research going on with tissue engineered valves at Boston Childrens, to hopefully help things move quicker to benefit their daughter and everyone else who needs valves and /or conduits replaced, but especially children since hopefully they would grow with them and not need as many surgeries because they outgrow their parts. I really admire people who think ahead like that and work hard to help make things happen.