AbstractThe surgical technique of aortic valve replacement with freehand glutaraldehyde‐treated autologous pericardium is described. Forty‐nine patients underwent this procedure without hospital mortality and no thromboembolic episodes without anticoagulation. Three patients underwent reoperation: for infective endocarditis in two; and tear of one commissure 8 months after surgery in another. This technique because of its excellent hemodynamics and low thrombogenicity might be a valid alternative particularly in patients with a small aortic annu