Trombólisis de válvula mecánica en posición aórtica en segundo episodio de trombosis

A pesar de que la cirugía es el manejo usual de la trombosis de válvula protésica mecánica, la trombólisis con alteplasa es una opción que puede ser considerada en ciertos casos, principalmente, cuando existe alguna contraindicación para cirugía. Por lo que presentamos el caso de una paciente en su segundo episodio de trombosis de válvula mecánica en posición aórtica en quien se aplica infusión trombolítica con alteplasa. La paciente mostró una evolución satisfactoria clínica, con resolución completa de sus síntomas y por ecocardiografía, donde los gradientes disminuyeron de manera significativa.

Although surgery is the usual management of mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis, the usage of alteplase as a thrombolytic agent is an option that can be considered in certain cases. Mainly its usage takes place when there is a contraindication for surgery. We present the case of a patient in her second episode of mechanical valve thrombosis in whom thrombolysis with alteplase was achieved. She had a satisfactory evolution, with complete resolution of her symptoms and improvement in echocardiographic gradients.

Two Cases of Minimally Invasive Right Thoracotomy Approach and Microscope-Assisted Surgery for Mitral Re-Operation; Mechanical Valve Dysfunction in the Late Operative Period / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Case 1 of stuck valve was an 84 year old man, 25 years after mitral valve replacement (MVR) using a mechanical valve. Case 2 was a 67 year old woman, 18 years after the previous operation. These patients underwent re-do replacement of the prosthesis with a minimally invasive right thoracotomy approach using a microscope. Re-do cardiac surgery is commonly regarded high risk on account of difficulty in peeling the adhension, risk of injury to the heart, lung or large vessels, longer operation time, greater amount of transfusion, higher invasion and longer admission. In both cases however, because of microscope-assist and right thoracotomy MICS technique, we safely and successfully completed the operation without any unplanned troubles. We finally had a good course with a short admission, no perioperative transfusion or no perioperative complication.

Study on warfarin dose adjustment strategy at different stages after mechanical valve replacement of mitral valve / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the anticoagulant strategy of adjusting the dose of warfarin at different stages after mechanical valve replacement of mitral valve. Methods    Clinical data of a total of 302 patients, including 76 males and 226 females, with an average age of 50.1±10.1 years, who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement in the Chinese adult cardiac surgery database from 2013 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the dose adjustment strategy of taking warfarin, the patients were divided into a D group (adjusting warfarin dose in days) and a W group (adjusting warfarin dose in weeks) to evaluate the anti-coagulation effect of warfarin. Results    The total follow-up time was 423 277 d (1 159.7 years). There was no significant difference in the overall anticoagulant strength, and the warfarin dose adjusted in days was better in the early postoperative period (P<0.05), especially in patients over 60 years. It was better to adjust warfarin dose in weeks in the middle and long periods (P<0.05), especially in patients ≤40 years. In terms of the stability of anticoagulation, it was better to adjust the dosage of warfarin in weeks (P<0.05). It was better to adjust the dosage of warfarin in weeks for early, middle- and long-term anticoagulant therapy after operation (P<0.05), especially in the females aged >40 and ≤50 years. Conclusion    Within the target range of international normalized ratio (1.5-2.5), the anticoagulant strategy of adjusting warfarin dose in days after mechanical valve replacement of mitral valve can   achieve a better anticoagulant strength, and adjusting the dosage of warfarin in weeks is better in the middle- and long-term after operation. In general, the anticoagulant effect is more stable in the short term when warfarin dose is adjusted on a weekly basis.

Surgical treatments for woman with mechanical valve dysfunction during pregnancy / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the therapeutic effects of different surgical strategies on women with mechanical valve dysfunction during pregnancy. Methods    A total of 11 patients with mechanical valve dysfunction during pregnancy who underwent surgeries in our hospital from 2007 to 2017 were retrospectively included. The average age was 27.5±3.7 years. The prognosis of patients was analyzed according to the gestational weeks, cardiac function and the severity of mechanical valve dysfunction. Results    No death occurred. Three of them suffered subtotal hysterectomy during the surgery because of uncontrolled bleeding, and the others recovered without complications. Among the 5 patients with pregnancies <28 weeks, 1 patient was found intrauterine death before hospital admission, 2 suffered fetal loss 5 days after the cardiac surgery, and the other 2 patients continued their gestations until deliveries. Among the other 6 patients with pregnancies >28 weeks, 1 fetus died because of intracranial hemorrhage, and the other 5 survived without embryopathy or foetopathy. Conclusion    Gestation week, cardiac function and severity of mechanical valve dysfunction may be taken into account when making a treatment regimen for women with dysfunctional valve prostheses during pregnancy.

Epicardial Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia by Re-median Sternotomy in a Patient with Double Mechanical Heart Valves / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

The patient is a 39-year-old-man who had rheumatic heart disease and had undergone mitral and aortic valve replacements with mechanical St. Jude prostheses as well as tricuspid valve repair and a MAZE procedure 17 years previously. He was admitted with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted. Four months later, he was admitted again with VT, and attempts to manage the VT with drugs were not successful. We performed electro-anatomical mapping and ablation for VT by re-median sternotomy. His postoperative course was uneventful. At 15 months after surgery, no recurrence of VT was recognized.

Research progress of anticoagulation therapy during pregnancy after mechanical valve replacement / 医学研究生学报

Artificial heart valve has been used for more than 50 years, which mechanical valve has significant clinical effect in the treatment of valvular disease and has been widely used in cardiac-disease patients. After mechanical valve replacement, some female patients in childbearing age still have a family planning. Meanwhile, anticoagulants must be taken for lifelong to prevent thrombosis and thromboembolism. However, pregnancy is a special physiological preocess and anticoagulant therapy has a certain risk to both mothers and infants. Because the blood during pregnancy is in a hypercoagulable state, anticoagulant therapy has its particularity for pregnant patients after cardiac mechanical valve replacement. In addition, some anticoagulant drugs can affect fetal development. As a result, there is a lack of ideal and consistent anticoagulation scheme at present. In this paper, we review the related studies of anticoagulant drugs and anticoagulant therapy during pregnancy after mechanical valve replacement.

A Case of Mitral Mechanical Valve Thrombosis after Switching to Edoxaban / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 65-year-old man who had been taking warfarin for a mitral mechanical valve, was transported to our hospital for acute heart failure 3 months after switching to edoxaban. The fluoroscopy revealed restriction of the mechanical valve opening, and the catheterization showed an increased pressure gradient of the mechanical valve. The patient was diagnosed with valve thrombosis, and emergency redo mitral valve replacement was performed. The patient recovered well without complication. In cases with mechanical heart valves, sufficient explanation and education about warfarin administration is mandatory for patients' home doctors as well as patients and their families.

Quality evaluation and genetic study of anti-coagulation therapy of warfarin in stable period after mechanical valve replacement / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To evaluate the quality of warfarin anticoagulant therapy in patients with stable stage after mechanical valve replacement surgery, to observe the effect of compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablet on the anticoagulant effect of warfarin in patients after mechanical valve replacement, and to understand the impact of genetic polymorphisms of VKORC1, CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 on warfarin resistance in patients with mechanical valve replacement in the stable period. Methods    From July 2011 to February 2014, 1 831 patients who had ≥ 6 months after mechanical valve  replacement surgery were enrolled at the outpatient follow-up. The basic clinical data were recorded. Anticoagulant therapy uses a target international normalized ratio（INR, 1.60–2.20) and a weekly warfarin dose adjustment strategy. Forty-six patients who needed compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablet were screened and the INR values. Before and after taking tablets were recorded and compared. The patients were divided into three groups according to the percentile of warfarin dosage including a warfarin sensitive patients group, a control patients group, and a warfarin resistance patients group. And 101 of them were selected. TIANGEN blood DNA Kit blood genomic DNA extraction kit was used to extract samples and polymerase chain restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RELP) was used to determine the genotypes of patients. The detected gene loci included CYP4F2: rs2108622C>T locus; VKORC1:1639G>A locus; VKORC1:1173C>T locus; CYP2C9*2: rs1799853C>T locus; CYP2C9*3:1061A>C locus. Results    The time in therapeutic range (TTR) and fraction of time in therapeutic range (FTTR) in the target INR range of the patients included in the study period was 27.2% and 49.4%, respectively, and the TTR and FTTR in the acceptable INR range was 34.25% and 63.36%, respectively. Before and after the addition of compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablets, the INR value was 1.55±0.03 and 1.69±0.30, respectively, and the difference was statistically different (P<0.05). A total of 101 patients with genetic testing, in which the C/T composition of the VKORC1: 1173C>T locus increased in the warfarin sensitivity, contrast and warfarin resistance patients, while the ratio of allelic loci of C/T in CYP2C9*3: 1061A>C loci decreased in turn. There was no difference in the CYP4F2 gene, VKORC1639 gene, and CYP2C9*2 locus. The IWPC model predicts that warfarin dose is only consistent with the actual warfarin dose in warfarin sensitive patients. Conclusion    Relatively low TTR and FTTR are acceptable in patients with stable stage after mechanical valve replacement. It is beneficial to the patients with compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablets in terms of some appropriate patients. VKORC1: 1173C>T site and CYP2C9*3: 1061A>C site mutation is the main pharmacological gene factor of warfarin dose sensitivity and warfarin resistance in stable period after mechanical valve replacement. The IWPC dose prediction model is only consistent with the actual dose of warfarin sensitive patients.

Current Status of Cardiovascular Surgery in Japan : Analysis of Data from Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database in 2015, 2016 / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Objectives : Data of valvular heart surgeries from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database in 2015 and 2016 were analyzed to demonstrate the associated mortality and morbidity rates and choice of surgical procedures. Methods : We used the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database to extract data of cardiac valve replacement procedures performed in 2015 and 2016. The cases were further evaluated depending upon the type of procedure, and prosthesis used at each site. The rate of bio-prosthesis usage was derived for each valve position and age groups. The rates of operative mortality and morbidity were calculated for each valve position and type of procedures. Results : In total, 26,054 aortic valve replacements were performed in 2015 and 2016, showing a slight increase in number since the last report(2013-2014). A total of 3,305 transcatheter aortic valve replacements, 5,652 mitral valve replacements, and 12,024 mitral valve repair procedures were performed. The rate of bio-prosthesis usage in aortic valve replacement was 96.5%, 92.7% and 63.5% for patients in their 80s, 70s and 60s, respectively, demonstrating an increase in usage since 2013-2014. Mechanical valves were preferred in patients on chronic hemodialysis. The mortality rates of aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, mitral valve repair, and tricuspid valve replacement procedures were 4.1%, 7.1%, 2.2%, and 10.5%, respectively. Conclusion : We evaluated recent trends in valvular heart surgery in Japan with respect to the type of procedure and prosthesis preferred and the postoperative outcomes. We found that bio-prosthesis usage was the most common.

Sustitución valvular aórtica: ¿prótesis biológica o mecánica? Estudio comparativo de sobrevida a largo plazo / Aortic valve replacement: biological or mechanical prosthesis? Comparative study of long-term survival

Resumen: Introducción: tanto el uso de bioprótesis como de prótesis mecánicas en la sustitución valvular aórtica (SVA) tiene sus ventajas y desventajas en determinados grupos de pacientes. Datos internacionales no terminan de definir el beneficio a largo plazo de una u otra opción. Objetivo: estudiar el valor predictivo de sobrevida según el tipo de prótesis empleada en los pacientes sometidos a SVA. Métodos: se incluyeron pacientes operados de SVA aislada o asociada a cirugía de revascularización (CRM) desde enero de 2006 hasta diciembre de 2016. Se extrajeron las variables demográficas, operatorias y de seguimiento. Para disminuir la heterogeneidad entre ambos grupos se realizó un pareamiento por puntaje de propensión (PP). La sobrevida se evaluó de forma global y según estrato etario (< y ³ 60 años). Definimos el valor predictivo de sobrevida de cada tipo de prótesis mediante regresión de Cox. Resultados: se incluyeron 1.516 pacientes. Se implantó prótesis biológica a 1.230 pacientes (81,1%) y mecánica a 286 pacientes (18,9%). Se logró parear 145 pacientes en cada grupo. No se encontraron diferencias en la mortalidad operatoria ni en las complicaciones posoperatorias evaluadas (incidencia de accidente cerebrovascular [ACV], implante de marcapaso definitivo, requerimiento de diálisis, sangrado y complicaciones asociadas a la anticoagulación) tanto en la población global como luego del pareamiento. El uso de bioprótesis no fue predictor de sobrevida alejada en la población pareada por PP (HR=0,86, IC 95%: 0,51-1,4). En ninguno de los dos estratos etarios el tipo de prótesis fue predictor de sobrevida. Conclusión: en nuestro medio, en los pacientes sometidos a SVA la sobrevida a largo plazo es similar con ambos tipos de prótesis.

Summary: Introduction: the use of bioprosthesis and mechanical prosthesis has its advantages and disadvantages that vary according to each patient. International data do not agree on the long-term benefit in survival of either prosthesis. Objective: evaluate survival and predictive role of type of prosthesis in patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: we included patients who underwent AVR from January 2006 to December 2016. Demographic, operative and follow-up variables were extracted from the institution database. In order to decrease patient heterogeneity, propensity match (PM) was performed. Survival was analyzed globally and according to age strata (< and ³ 60 years old). Predictive role of prosthesis type was evaluated with Cox regression. Results: 1.516 patients were included. Bioprosthesis was used in 1.230 (81,1%) and mechanical in 286 (18,9%) patients; 145 PM patients were evaluated in each group. No differences were found in operative mortality and postoperative complications (stroke, pacemaker, dialysis, bleeding and anticoagulation complications) either in the global population or the PM. Use of bioprosthesis was not an independent predictor for survival in the PM (HR=0.86,95%CI:0.51-1.14). In neither of the age strata was type of prosthesis a predictor of survival. Conclusion: locally, patients who undergo AVR have similar survival regardless of the type of prosthesis.

Initial experience of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia originate from endocardium via direct ventricle puncture access in patients underwent mechanical valve implantation / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the results of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) via direct ventricle puncture access in patients without traditional approach.@*Methods@#Two idiopathic left fasicular VT patients with mechanical aortic and mitrial valve repalcement and 1 patient with right ventricular originated VT post mechanical tricuspid valve repalcement from March 2010 to July 2012 in Fuwai hospital were enrolled in this study. For left fasicular VT patients, catheter ablation was performed using transapical left ventricular access via minithoracotomy. For the patient with right ventricular originated VT, catheter ablation was performed via percutaneous right ventricle puncture at xiphoid. Abaltion was guided under EnSite NavX mapping system. The feasibility of VT ablation via direct ventricle puncture access and long-term VT recurrence were investigated.@*Results@#Catheter ablation was successful in all patients, and all clinical VTs were eliminated. The procedure time was 53, 62 and 74 minutes respectively with radiation time 11, 16 and 20 minutes. The ablation time was 130, 170 and 240 seconds individually. No procedure related complication occurred. After a follow-up time of 76, 55 and 82 months respectively, no VT recurrence was found in patients with left fasicular VT. New-onset VT with different morphology with previous VT was recorded in the patient with right ventricular originated VT, subcutaneous implantable defibrillator was implanted finally in this patient.@*Conclusions@#For patients with endocardial origined ventricular arrhythmias which could not be ablated via traditional approaches, direct ventricle puncture access with hybrid techniques provides a new approach foreliminating VTs in these patients.

Current Status of Cardiovascular Surgery in Japan, 2013 and 2014 : A Report based on the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database (JCVSD) / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p><b>Objective</b> : To demonstrate the mortality rate and the choice of surgical procedures, especially the selection of the valve prosthesis, in each position of the valve in each age of the patients and the effects of the preoperative complications to the mortality and prosthetic valve selection, the data from JCVSD in 2013 and 2014 are analyzed. <b>Methods</b> : The proportion of each surgical procedure is compared in each age of the patients in the aortic, the mitral and the tricuspid position. <b>Results</b> : The proportion of the mechanical valve prostheses was 23.1, 40.5 and 11.4% in the aortic, mitral and tricuspid position respectively and it was higher in hemodialysis patients than in non-hemodialysis patients. The operative mortality rate was 4.3, 11.7, 15.8 and 5.6% in all cases, the hemodialysis patients, the patients with liver dysfunction and the patients with atrial fibrillation and flutter, respectively in AVR, and 4.0, 14.4, 11.2 and 4.1%, respectively in each group listed above after mitral surgery. <b>Conclusion</b> : These results clarify the status of cardiac valvular surgery in Japan.</p>

Clinical analysis on tricuspid valve replacement for secondary tricuspid regurgitation late after left-sided valve surgery / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To analyse the outcomes of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) for secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) late after left-sided valve surgery during perioperative period and mid-term follow-up,investigate mechanisms of STR and surgical risk factors.Methods·A total of 85 consecutive patients who underwent the TVR surgery were analyzed.The perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes were retrospectively investigated.The data were divided into bioprosthesis group (n=50) and mechanical prosthesis group (n=35) according to the prosthesis used,and divided into right anterolateral thoracotomy(RALT) group (n=51) and stemotomy(S) group (n=34) according to the surgical incision.Results·In-hospital mortality was 8.2％ (7/85).There was no significant difference in the mortality with different choice of bioprosthetic or mechanical valve (4/50 vs 3/35,x2=0.009,P=1.000);while there was significant difference between S group and RALT group (6/34 vs 1/51,x2=6.642,P=0.015).Seven cases all died of right heart failure and severe low cardiac output syndrome.Five (5.9％) cases died in perioperative within 30 in-hospital days and 2 (2.4％) cases died after 30 in-hospital days.Seventy-four cases were followed up.With the follow-up of (31.5±23.1) months,there were 4 case of late deaths(5.4％),all of whom were mechanical prosthesis,of whom 3 died in cardiac related death and 1 died in later period bowel cancer.Seventy cases survived in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅰ-Ⅱ with no coagulated accident and redo-TVR.Conclusion·The perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes are satisfied in timely and reasonable TVR with the standard follow-up for STR late after left-sided valve surgery.Right anterolateral incision is recommend for isolated TVR.

A Case of Transvalvular Removal of Subvalvular Pannus beneath the Monocusp Tilting-Disk Mechanical Valve at the Aortic Position Using CUSA / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We describe our surgical treatment in a patient with subvalvular aortic stenosis due to pannus formation beneath a monocusp mechanical valve. In this case, transvalvular removal of subvalvular pannus using a CUSA (Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator) was performed successfully. A 77-year-old woman underwent aortic valve replacement with a monocusp tilting-disk mechanical valve (Björk-Shiley, 23 mm) 30 years previously. Reoperation for severe aortic stenosis due to calcified subvalvular pannus formation was required. Intraoperative findings revealed no limitation of leaflet motion of the valve but presence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by subvalvular pannus formation under the major orifice of the prosthesis. Because of difficulty of exposure of the prosthetic valve due to severely calcified valsalva sinus wall, simple re-do aortic valve replacement seemed to be almost impossible. Therefore, we tried transvalvular removal of the pannus. A scalpel could not be applied due to severe calcification of the pannus. Then we used CUSA and removed the pannus successfully. Finally, subvalvular stenosis (LVOTO) was ameliorated and a decrease of trans-aortic valve velocity was recognized. She is doing well without recurrence 1.5 years after the surgery.

A Case of Aortic Regurgitation Accompanied by Multiple Metal Allergy Treated with Aortic Valve Replacement under Median Sternotomy / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 58-year-old man who complained of dyspnea on effort was given a diagnosis of decompensated congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and cardiomegaly. We decided to perform aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve, however his past history made us suspicious of allergy to metal. From his previous patient records, we determined he was allergic to many metals : gold, iron, platinum, cobalt, chrome, bronze, and zinc. Newly performed skin patch tests showed positive reactions to aluminum, tin, palladium, indium, iridium and stainless steel. We selected a CarboMedics mechanical valve made of nickel-titanium alloy. Aortic valve replacement with a 27-mm CarboMedics mechanical valve was performed by median sternotomy. At sternum closure, we used polyester non-absorbable suture thread, instead of surgical steel wire, because it contains stainless steel. His postoperative progress was good and he was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. One year after surgery he is doing well without any allergic symptoms.

Tricuspid valve replacement in the treatment of severe tricuspid valve disease: a report of 27 cases / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To analyze the medium and long-term results of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR)and summarize the operative experience for tricuspid valve disease.Methods Clinical data of 27 patients with severe tricuspid valve disease from September 2005 to May 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.Biological valve prosthesis was replaced in 23 patients,while mechanical valve prosthesis was replaced in 4 patients.Accompanying procedures included mitral valve replacement in 8 cases,mitral valve replacement and aortic valve replacement in 4 cases,and repair of atrial septal defect in 4 cases.Results The operative mortality was 11.1％(3/27),among these patients,2 cases died of serious low cardiac output syndrome,1case died of muhiorgan failure on the 7th day after operation,1 case who underwent reoperation for hemorrhage postoperative was improved after treatment.During follow-up,1 patient died of biological valve prosthesis dysfuncion 3 years after operation,1 patient died of cerebral embolism 19 months after operation.Six cases were in New York Heart Association(NYHA)class Ⅰ,and 14 cases in NYHA class Ⅱ during the period of follow-up.Conclusions Because operative and follow-up mortality is high,TVR is the last selection for the treatment of tricuspid valve disease.Appropriate operative technique and perioperative therapy are the key for clinical success.For those older than 50 years,follow-up inconvenience and reproductive-age female patients,biological valve prosthesis should be recommended as a preferential choice.

Surgical Management of Mechanical Valve Thrombosis: Twenty-Six Years' Experience

In the present study, the authors investigated the management of mechanical valve thrombosis (MVT). From January 1981 through March 2006, 2,908 mechanical valve replacements were performed in 2,298 patients at our institution. Twenty (0.87%) patients presented with MVT, 14 (70.0%) were women, and the mean age of the patients was 42.0+/-14.0 (27-66) yr. Thrombosis involved mitral in 14 (70.0%), aortic in 2 (10.0%), tricuspid/aortic in 1 (5%), and tricuspid in 3 (15%). The interval from first operation to valve thrombosis was 121.8+/-75.4 (0.9-284.7) months. The most frequent clinical presentation was heart failure (13/20, 65%), and predisposing causes of MVT were: poor compliance with warfarin (7), pregnancy (5), drug interaction (2), and unknown (6). All 20 patients underwent valve replacement: mitral (14, 70.0%), tricuspid (3, 15.0%), aortic (2, 10%) and tricuspid/aortic (1, 5%). One early death occurred due to left ventricular failure, but no late mortality occurred during 63.3+/-49.9 (0.5-165.1) months of follow-up. MVT was treated successfully, and pregnancy and inadequate anticoagulation were found to influence the occurrence of this rare complication.

Long-term Experience with the Bjork-Shiley Monostrut Tilting Disc Valve

The Bjork-Shiley Monostrut valve is tilting disc mechanical valve prosthesis. This study was designed to present the long-term outcome of our experience. One hundred and thirty-seven Bjork-Shiley Monostrut valves were implanted in 101 consecutive patients from November 1983 to February 1990. There were 60 male and 41 female with mean age of 34.5 yr at the time of operation. Fifty-nine patients underwent single valve replacement, 38 had double valve, and 4 had triple valve replacement. There were six in-hospital deaths (5.9%): three from cardiopulmonary bypass weaning failure and one each from septic shock, sudden cardiac arrest, and uncontrollable bleeding. Mean duration of follow-up was 181.2+/-76.2 months. Overall survival was 86.2% at 15 yr and 83.1% at 20 yr. Patients with mitral valve replacement had 93.5% and 90.2% cumulative survival at 10 and 15 yr, respectively, while patients with aortic valve replacement had 91.1% and 86.5% cumulative survival at 10 and 15 yr. Two groups had no significant difference in survival. Double valve replacement patients had 92.2% and 84.0% survival at 10 and 15 yr, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival between the single and double valve replacement groups. Freedom from thromboembolism was noted in: 97.8%, 97.8%, 96.4% and 87.8% at 5, 10, 15 and 20 yr, respectively. Absence of endocarditis was noted in 98.6% and 94.8% at 15 and 20 yr. Absence of reoperation was 92.5% at 20 yr. In conclusion, the Bjork-Shiley Monostrut valve is reliable, with a similar incidence of valve-related morbidity as in other mechanical valves.

Selection and Complications of Prosthetic Heart Valves / 한양의대학술지

Due to development of new prosthetic heart valves(PHV) and advanced operative technology, the result of prosthetic valve replacement has improved, but problems such as thromboembolism, bleeding, structural valve deterioration, and patient-prosthesis mismatch are not yet resolved. The aging society, different life style and sensual change for life affected the type of operation and life quality after the operation. During four decades, the mechanical valve has been designed for less or no structural valve deterioration and manufacturers have mixed high-tech for prevention of thrombosis. However, the necessity of anticoagulation therapy is still remained. And the durability of the tissue valve has also been increased by development in technology of tissue preservation and fixation. But the risk of thromboembolism and structural failure is not completely resolved and it is far from perfect for replacing the mechanical valve. The long-term result of homograft is disappointing. However, the result of the pulmonary autograft is hopeful, except that it needs a very complex operation and therefore, it is limited to an experienced surgeon. Recent study shows that patient's characteristics are important to determine the long-term results and durability of the prosthetic valve. It needs to be reemphasized that, for better results of PHV replacement, we consider the patient's characteristics and types of PHV and discuss the options with our patients.

Selection and Complications of Prosthetic Heart Valves / 한양의대학술지

Due to development of new prosthetic heart valves(PHV) and advanced operative technology, the result of prosthetic valve replacement has improved, but problems such as thromboembolism, bleeding, structural valve deterioration, and patient-prosthesis mismatch are not yet resolved. The aging society, different life style and sensual change for life affected the type of operation and life quality after the operation. During four decades, the mechanical valve has been designed for less or no structural valve deterioration and manufacturers have mixed high-tech for prevention of thrombosis. However, the necessity of anticoagulation therapy is still remained. And the durability of the tissue valve has also been increased by development in technology of tissue preservation and fixation. But the risk of thromboembolism and structural failure is not completely resolved and it is far from perfect for replacing the mechanical valve. The long-term result of homograft is disappointing. However, the result of the pulmonary autograft is hopeful, except that it needs a very complex operation and therefore, it is limited to an experienced surgeon. Recent study shows that patient's characteristics are important to determine the long-term results and durability of the prosthetic valve. It needs to be reemphasized that, for better results of PHV replacement, we consider the patient's characteristics and types of PHV and discuss the options with our patients.