ABSTRACT
Objective: To summarize the surgical results of valve replacement in children. Methods: From Jan.1990 to Dec.2002, 45 children ranging from 3 to 14 years (average 10.8 years) underwent cardiac valve replacement. There were 26 males and 19 females. 15 cases were younger than 10 years and 30 cases aged 10 to 14 years. Surgical indications for valve replacement included congenital valve disease (n=32), rheumatic heart disease (n=6), bacterial endocarditis (n=3), mitral insufficiency after atrioventricular canal defect repairing (n=3) and aortic insufficiency after VSD repairing (n=1). Mitral replacement was performed in 23 cases, aortic and tricuspid replacement in 9 cases, and combined mitral and aortic replacement in 4 cases. In forty cases, mechanical valves were used bioprosthetic valves or homograft valves in 5 cases. Results: Operation mortality was 4 4%(2/45 cases). The follow up periods were from 8 months to 12 years (average 4 9 years). Late mortality was 9 3% (4/45 cases). There was no anticoagulation related complications occurring. Conclusion: According to this study, valve replacement with warfarin anticoagulation in children was a safe and feasible technique. A suitable size prosthesis implantation could result in a healthy development.