Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for native aortic valve regurgitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for native aortic valve regurgitation. Methods    Literature from The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, ClinicalTrials.gov and China Biomedical Literature Database from January 2002 to May 2021 were searched by computer. The literature on TAVI or transcatheter aortic valve replacement treatment for simple aortic reflux were collected. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the literature. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 14.0 software. Results    A total of 15 studies including 1 394 patients were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scales of the studies were≥6 points. The success rate of prosthetic valve implantation was 72.0%-100.0%, and there was no report of serious complications such as surgical death, myocardial infarction, and valve annulus rupture. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 6.3% [95%CI (3.4%, 9.1%)]. The incidence of stroke within 30 days and the rate of postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation were 2.0% [95%CI (1.0%, 4.0%)] and 6.0% [95%CI (4.0%, 10.0%)], respectively, and were both within acceptable limits. Conclusion    For patients with simple high-risk aortic regurgitation, TAVI can obtain satisfactory treatment effects and has low postoperative complications rate, and it may be a potential treatment option for such patients.

Expert recommendations for standardized perioperative management after transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#The technique of transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become increasingly mature. Although the transapical approach has a certain degree of minimally invasive trauma, it still has the characteristics such as heart beating without cardiopulmonary bypass, and the low technical requirements of catheter guide wire. In particular, the valve path is short and coaxial, which is easy to manipulate, and pure regurgitation and stenosis can be easily operated and are not subject to the limit of peripheral artery stenosis. It is still one of China's main approaches for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Its perioperative management still has specific features and differs from the femoral artery approach. In addition, there is little relevant literature abroad. Therefore, domestic experts in this field were organized to discuss the development of perioperative management specifications to provide reference and techniques support for developing this field in China and further improve the quality of clinical operation and perioperative management. It will provide more safe and more effective medical services to these patients.

Safety and short-term outcomes evaluation of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the treatment of pure native aortic valve regurgitation / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the safety and short-term outcomes of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with domestic prostheses in patients with pure native aortic valve regurgitation (AR).Methods:A total of 16 patients with pure native AR who underwent transfemoral TAVR in the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2019 to January 2022 were consecutively included in our study, and 24 patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent transfemoral TAVR in the same period were selected as the control group. This study compared the baseline characteristics, baseline echocardiography, morphological characteristics of the aortic root, safety of the procedure and short-term outcomes between the two groups.Results:Compared with the AS group, the pure native AR group had a higher prevalence of baseline NYHA class Ⅲ or Ⅳ, a larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), a smaller relative ventricular wall thickness (RWT) (all P<0.05), a lower aortic root calcification score, and a larger sinus junction diameter, and cardiac angle (all P<0.05). During TAVR operation, the pure native AR group was treated with larger prostheses size, with a larger percentage in relation to the native annulus size and outflow tract (all P<0.05). There were 7 cases (43.8%) treated with 'valve in valve’, 2 cases (12.5%) with moderate paravalvular leak(PVL), and 2 cases (12.5%) with prostheses-migration to ascending aorta.However, no cases of death, transfer to surgery, coronary obstruction or annular rupture were observed in the pure native AR group. There were no statistical differences between the pure native AR group and AS group in device success rate (56.3% vs 62.5%, P>0.05) and 1-month all-cause mortality[0 (0/16) vs 4.2% (1/24), P>0.05]. The 6MWT, NT-proBNP, and NYHA were significantly improved at 1-month post TAVR compared with those before the procedure in the two groups (all P<0.05). Echocardiography showed significant reverse cardiac remodeling and improved left ventricular function compared with those before the procedure in the two groups. Conclusions:Transfemoral TAVR is a feasible and safe method for patients with pure native AR, and its short-term prognosis is similar to that in AS patients with well-established TAVR.

Advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement for pure aortic regurgitation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis has been confirmed to be safe and efficient, and its status has gradually increased with the continuous updating of guidelines. But for severe pure aortic valve regurgitation, it has long been considered a relative contraindication to TAVR. However, many elderly, high-risk patients with pure aortic regurgitation have also been treated with TAVR and prognosis was improved through off-label use of transcatheter heart valves due to contraindications to surgery or intolerance. But because of the complexity and challenging anatomic features, high technical requirements, limited device success rate, high rate of complications, and lack of randomized controlled studies to confirm its safety and efficacy, TAVR treatment of pure aortic regurgitation has been evolving in a debate. In recent years, with the application of new-generation valves and an increasing number of studies, some new insights have been gained regarding TAVR for severe aortic regurgitation, and this article will review the progress of research on TAVR for severe pure aortic regurgitation.

Outcomes and preoperative evaluation of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the treatment of pure native aortic valve regurgitation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To assess outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for pure native aortic valve regurgitation. Methods    A total of 129 patients underwent transfemoral TAVR in Fuwai Hospital from May 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 83 males and 46 females with an average age of 72.26±8.97 years. The patients were divided into a pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (17 patients) and an aortic valve stenosis group (112 patients). Results    The incidence of valve in valve was higher in the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group (47.0% vs. 16.1%, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in conversion to surgery, intraoperative use of extracorporeal circulation, intraoperative left ventricular rupture, postoperative use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), peripheral vascular complications, disabled stroke, death, or pacemaker implantation. There was no statistical difference in the diameter of annulus (25.75±2.21 mm vs. 24.70±2.90 mm, P=0.068) or diameter of outflow tract (25.82±3.75 mm vs. 25.37±3.92 mm, P=0.514) between the pure native aortic valve regurgitation group and the aortic valve stenosis group. Conclusion    Transfemoral TAVR is a feasible method for patients with pure native aortic valve regurgitation. The diameter of annulus plane, the diameter of outflow tract and the shape of outflow tract should be evaluated.

Síndrome de Noonan e insuficiencia aórtica severa en un paciente adulto / Noonan Syndrome and Severe Aortic Regurgitation in an Adult Patient

Introducción: El síndrome de Noonan es una enfermedad congénita con una incidencia de 1:1000-2500 recién nacidos vivos. Se encuentra subdiagnosticada en nuestro medio debido a la variabilidad clínica, lo cual no permite un adecuado control y seguimiento para detectar complicaciones consecuentes a los defectos cardiovasculares congénitos. En Perú no existen reportes de casos sobre el síndrome de Noonan y sus complicaciones. Objetivo: Discutir la importancia del examen clínico para su adecuado diagnóstico a partir de las características del síndrome de Noonan en un adulto. Caso clínico: Presentamos el caso de un varón de 33 años con síndrome de Noonan, endocarditis infecciosa e insuficiencia aórtica severa. Conclusiones: Se resalta la importancia del examen físico y el uso de criterios diagnósticos para realizar el diagnóstico del síndrome de Noonan(AU)

Introduction: Noonan syndrome is a congenital disease with an incidence of 1: 1000-2500 live newborns. Due to its clinical variability, it is underdiagnosed in our setting, which does not allow adequate control and follow-up to detect complications resulting from congenital cardiovascular defects. In Peru, there are no case reports on Noonan syndrome and its complications. Objective: To discuss the importance of clinical examination for adequate diagnosis of Noonan syndrome, based on the characteristics of the disease in an adult. Clinical case: We present the case of a 33-year-old male patient with Noonan syndrome, infective endocarditis, and severe aortic regurgitation. Conclusions: The importance of physical examination and the use of diagnostic criteria to diagnose Noonan syndrome are highlighted(AU)

Aortic Valve Repair for Infective Endocarditis of an Aortic Valve / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve tends to cause structural damage such as aortic root abscess, and aortic valve replacement is the standard treatment. However, there have been several reports on aortic valve repair for the treatment of infective endocarditis, and it has subsequently emerged as a feasible alternative to aortic valve replacement in selected patients. We report a case of aortic valve repair for infective endocarditis of the aortic valve caused by α-hemolytic Streptococcus. A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a two-month history of fever of unidentified origin. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed vegetation in the right coronary and non-coronary cusps, and mild aortic regurgitation. Although infection was controlled by approximately one month of antibiotic treatment, there was markedly more severe aortic regurgitation compared to the previous examination. These findings were confirmed on transesophageal echocardiography, and residual vegetation on the right coronary cusp as well as a perforation in the non-coronary cusp were confirmed. Intraoperative findings revealed a perforation in the non-coronary cusp and dehiscence, with vegetation on the right coronary cusp. The vegetation was carefully removed, the non-coronary cusp perforation was repaired with a pericardium patch, and the defect on the right coronary cusp was directly sutured with 6-0 polypropylene. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed trivial aortic regurgitation. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 7 days after surgery without any complications. Antibiotics were prescribed for 3 months, and transthoracic echocardiography was performed 5 days, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. No evidence of recurrence of aortic regurgitation or infection of the aortic valve was observed.

Advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement for pure native aortic regurgitation / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been confirmed to be safety and efficacy for high-risk elderly aortic stenosis, and the clinical effect of TAVR for medium and low-risk aortic stenosis is not worse than that of surgery. The development of surgical techniques and instruments has made cardiologists attempt to broaden the surgical indications. Many elderly and high-risk patients with pure native aortic regurgitation have been treated “off label” with similar techniques, completing artificial valve replacement, restoring valve function and improving the prognosis. However, due to the high requirements of surgical techniques and surgical complications, there is a lack of randomized controlled studies to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Unlike aortic stenosis, native aortic regurgitation presents unique challenges for transcatheter valves. In this article, the authors review current advances in the treatment of aortic valve regurgitation with TAVR.

Long-Term Results of the Leaflet Extension Technique for Rheumatic Aortic Regurgitation: A 20-Year Follow-up / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although aortic valve repair can reduce prosthesis-related complications, rheumatic aortic regurgitation (AR) caused by leaflet restriction is a significant risk factor for recurrent AR. In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of the leaflet extension technique for rheumatic AR. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2016, 33 patients underwent aortic valve repair using the leaflet extension technique with autologous pericardium for rheumatic pure AR. Twenty patients had severe AR and 9 had combined moderate or greater mitral regurgitation. Their mean age was 32.2±13.9 years. The mean follow-up duration was 18.3±5.8 years. RESULTS: There were no cases of operative mortality, but postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients. Overall survival at 10 and 20 years was 93.5% and 87.1%, respectively. There were no thromboembolic cerebrovascular events, but 4 late deaths occurred, as well as a bleeding event in 1 patient who was taking warfarin. Twelve patients underwent aortic valve reoperation. The mean interval to reoperation was 13.1±6.1 years. Freedom from reoperation at 10 and 20 years was 96.7% and 66.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The long-term results of the leaflet extension technique showed acceptable durability and a low incidence of thromboembolic events and bleeding. The leaflet extension technique may be a good option for young patients with rheumatic AR.

Insuficiencia aórtica severa aguda, aspectos diagnósticos de la ecocardiografía: a propósito de un caso clínico / Acute severe aortic regurgitacion echocardiography features: clinical case and review

Resumen: La insuficiencia aórtica severa aguda (IASA) constituye una emergencia quirúrgica; sus principales causas son la endocarditis infecciosa y la disección aórtica. Existen tres hallazgos ecocardiográficos distintivos de dicha patología, que ayudan al diagnóstico y manejo que son: el cierre prematuro de la válvula mitral (CPVM), la insuficiencia mitral diastólica (IMD) y la apertura prematura de la válvula aórtica (APVA). Estos elementos reflejan el severo aumento de la presión de fin de diástole del ventrículo izquierdo (PFDVI) y, si bien son específicos, no son únicos de dicha patología. A continuación, se reporta el caso de un paciente con IASA. Hombre de 36 años, sin antecedentes, consulta por estado infeccioso asociado a insuficiencia cardíaca aguda. Ingresa en shock cardiogénico y la ecocardiografía muestra: ventrículo izquierdo severamente dilatado con función sistólica conservada, dilatación leve de la aurícula izquierda y una endocarditis de válvula aórtica trivalvar asociado a insuficiencia severa. Se identifica, además, la presencia de CPVM y de IMD hallazgos que evidenciaban la severidad de la lesión y lo agudo de la presentación. Se realizó un recambio valvular aórtico de urgencia con una prótesis biológica con buena evolución postoperatoria.

Abstracts: Severe acute aortic regurgitation (SAAR) constitutes a surgical emergency. Its main causes are infective endocarditis and aortic dissection. Three echocardiographic hallmarks aid in its diagnosis and management, namely: premature opening of the aortic valve (POAV), premature mitral valve closure (PMVC) and diastolic mitral regurgitation (DMR), findings that reflect the great increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Also, these findings are distinctive but not unique to SAAR. We report a 36-year-old male, without past medical history that refers three weeks of malaise, fever and heart failure. At the emergency department, the patient evolved to cardiogenic shock being admitted to the coronary unit. A transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a severely dilated left ventricle with normal systolic function, a mild left atrium enlargement and endocarditis of a trileaflet aortic valve with severe regurgitation. Furthermore, PMVC and DMR were identified, findings that portrayed the severe and acute presentation of the disease. A surgical aortic valve replacement was performed uneventfully, and the patient discharged in good conditions.

Co-existing Valvular Involvement and Complete Heart Block in Churg-Strauss Syndrome / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p>Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare form of systemic vasculitis that has been reported to involve the heart. However, co-existing involvement of cardiac valves and the conduction system is extremely rare. We present a patient with aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis and complete heart block secondary to Churg-Strauss syndrome.</p>

Aortic valve regurgitation following transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adults: A clinical analysis / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To determine the incidence, risks and outcome of aortic regurgitation (AR) following transcatheter closure in adult patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Methods A total of 101 patients with PDA treated by transcatheter closure were enrolled in this study. Of them, 26 patients (25.74%) had new or increased AR following closure. The relevant factors including clinical manifestations, PDA features, closure procedure and outcome were analyzed and the risk factors were screened with logistic regression analysis. Results The 26 patients with newly diagnosed AR patients or with aggravated AR had significantly higher pulmonary arterial pressure than those without AR ([46.2±20.7] mmHg vs [31.4±17.5] mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), significantly larger left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD, [5.2±0.2] cm vs [4.2±0.4] cm), significantly more severe PDA ([14.0±6.4] cm vs [9.0±3.5] cm) and significantly higher incidence of preoperative mild AR (38.46% [10/26] vs 18.67% [14/75]) (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that LVEDD (OR=33.541, 95% CI: 5.883-191.235, P=0.000) and PDA diameter (OR=7.512, 95% CI: 1.976-28.564, P=0.003) were the independent predictive factors for AR. During follow-up, 22 (84.62%) AR patients regained aortic valvar competence, and one died of AR deterioration and heart failure at the 30th months. Conclusion It is more possible for the patients with larger LVEDD and severer PDA to develop AR. Most AR patients have a better outcome.

A Rare Complication after Tricuspid Annuloplasty / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We report a rare case of severe aortic regurgitation after mitral valve replacement (MVR) and tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP). An 83-year-old woman underwent MVR and TAP for mitral regurgitation and secondary tricuspid regurgitation. The early postoperative course was not eventful until 6 days after surgery. However, 7 days after surgery, she suffered from acute heart failure and transthoracic echocardiography showed severe aortic regurgitation. We performed a second operation 13 days after the first surgery. Intraoperatively, we found the annulus suture of the TAP just under the NCC-RCC commissure of the aortic valve. We speculated that the suture pulled the aortic valve annulus, resulting in severe aortic regurgitation. We removed the suture and replaced the aortic valve with bioprosthetic artificial valve. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and she was discharged 22 days after the second surgical procedure.

Cardiac Tamponade due to Detachment of the Aortic Valve Commissure / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 68-year-old man was taken to our hospital by ambulance due to syncope. He was in shock with cardiac tamponade. Pericardial drainage was performed. Aortic valve regurgitation gradually increased and surgery was performed at 25 days after onset. Surgical finding showed that there was a detachment of the commissure between the right and non coronary cusps of the aortic valve. An intimal tear was detected in the same place and aortic root replacement was required. The patient had a good recovery and he was discharged 14 days after surgery.

Transcatheter establishment of an animal model with acute aortic valve regurgitation：an experimental study / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of interventional transcatheter destruction of the aortic valve to establish an animal model with acute aortic valve regurgitation. Methods Eight healthy goats were used for this study. A limited sternotomy approach was used to access the apex of the heart. Puncturing of the apex of the heart was performed to establish a wire track, then, under fluoroscopic guidance a 10 F sheath was inserted along this track of hard wire until to the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. The internal sheath was removed. Via the 10 F sheath a 10 mm occluder of ventricular septal defect (VSD) was introduced into the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. The sheath was pulled back to the left ventricle, while the occluder remained in the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. Then the occluder was quickly pulled back into the left ventricle in order to make some certain damage to the aortic valve. And an acute aortic valve regurgitation model was thus established. Angiography of ascending aorta above the aortic Among the 8 animals, two died of acute left ventricular failure on the spot due to excessive regurgitation blood flow after the operation. Macroscopically, damage of the aortic valve was seen. In the six survivors, angiography of ascending aorta above the aortic valve and Doppler echocardiography showed that moderate degree of regurgitation was detected in 5 and small amount of regurgitation in one. Two experimental goats with moderate degree of regurgitation died of heart failure separately at seven days and fifteen days after the operation. The remaining four experimental goats survived for more than three months. Follow- up checkups with echocardiography suggested the presence of mild- moderate degree of regurgitation. Conclusion Acute aortic valve regurgitation model in experimental goats can be established through transapical transcatheter damage of aortic valve by quickly pulling back a VSD occluder which has been placed in the ascending aorta above the aortic valve. This method is clinically feasible, technically simple and repeatable, the result is reliable, and the degree of regurgitation is controllable.

Cardiac Surgery for a Patient with CD36 deficiency and Aortic Valve Regurgitation / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We describe a case of cardiac surgery for a patient with CD36 deficiency. A 56-year old man had progressive dyspnea on effort for 1 year. On admission, echocardiography revealed severe aortic valve regurgitation. He required medical treatment for heart failure, and subsequently elective aortic valve replacement was planned. Pre-operative cardiac scintigraphy (¹²³I-BMIPP) showed total defect of myocardial uptake. CD 36 deficiency was diagnosed based on the characteristic findings. CD 36 deficiency could cause transfusion related complication by donor blood transfusion. We prepared 1,200 ml autologous blood preoperatively in a two week period. The operation was performed successfully without donor blood transfusion. He was discharged uneventfully.

Effect of Aortic Valve Regurgitation on Pharmacodynamics of Cisatracurium / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of severe aortic valve incompetence on the pharmacodynamics of cisatracurium.[Methods]Thirty patients were enrolled in this study:15 patients with severe aortic valve incompetence scheduled for aortic valve replacement were included in the study group(AI-group)and 15 patients without heart disease undergoing general surgical operations were allocated into the control group(C-group).Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl 5 μg/kg.propofol 1.5～2 mg/kg and cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg and maintained by total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-remifentanil infusion.Degree of neuromuscular block was measured by train-of-four ratio using TOF-WATCH acceleragraph monitor.Onset time(from administration of cisatracurium to T1=0),total twitch suppression time,the time for spontaneous recovery of T1 to 25%and 75%.and the recovery index were recorded respectively.[Results]The onset time of cisatracurium was significantly longer in the AI group compared to the control group(5.6±0.8 min vs 3.4 ±0.4 min.P＜0.001.However.there was no difference in the recovery time between the two groups.[Conclusion]We demonstrated that the onset of cisatracurium was delayed in the patients with severe aortic regurgitation in comparison to those without heart disease.

Anesthetic managements for correction of aortic valve regurgitation in a patient with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS) is a recently described autosomal dominant aortic aneurysm syndrome with widespread systemic involvement. It is characterized by the triad of 1) arterial tortuosity and aneurysms, 2) hypertelorism, and 3) bifid uvula or cleft palate. A 12-year-old boy with LDS was scheduled to undergo correction of aortic valve regurgitation due to aortic annuloectasia. We report our clinical experiences of a case of LDS patient with brief review of related literatures and relevant anesthetic problems.

Seguimiento a mediano plazo de pacientes sometidos a reemplazo valvular aórtico con prótesis mecánicas / Mid-term Follow-Up of Patients Submitted to Aortic Valve Replacement with Mechanical Prosthesis

Introducción La patología de la válvula aórtica es una de las causas más frecuentes de reemplazo valvular en nuestro medio. La falta de información actualizada sobre la evolución alejada de pacientes que recibieron prótesis mecánicas en posición aórtica motivó la realización del presente estudio. Objetivo Conocer la mortalidad, la morbilidad (complicaciones mayores) y los resultados funcionales (mejoría clínica) durante el seguimiento de pacientes portadores de una válvula mecánica en posición aórtica. Material y métodos Se seleccionaron 95 pacientes sometidos a reemplazo valvular aórtico con prótesis mecánicas. Todos los pacientes fueron operados entre enero de 1999 y diciembre de 2006. La media de seguimiento fue de 4,5 ± 2,3 años, percentiles 25-75: 2,5-6,3 años. El seguimiento total fue de 427,5 pacientes/año. Resultados La media de edad fue de 64,5 ± 12,3 años y el 61,1% de los pacientes eran de sexo masculino. Sesenta pacientes (63%) estaban en clase funcional (CF) III-IV antes de la cirugía. En el seguimiento, 67 pacientes (70,5%) se encuentran en CF I y 28 (29,5%) en CF II. No se observaron pacientes en CF III ni IV. La media del índice área valvular efectiva / área de superficie corporal fue de 1,06 cm²/m². La supervivencia actuarial (Kaplan-Meier) fue del 95% (IC 95% 88-98%) a un año y del 89% a los 5 años (IC 95% 76-95%). La mortalidad relacionada se registró en 9 pacientes (9,5%). La incidencia de tromboembolia fue del 0,2% paciente-año, la de hemorragia del 2,3% paciente- año y la de endocarditis del 0,7% paciente-año. La tasa de reoperación fue del 0,4% paciente-año. Conclusiones Los resultados obtenidos fueron similares a los comunicados en series internacionales en términos de supervivencia y complicaciones mayores. La frecuencia de eventos adversos observados a mediano plazo, como en todo el mundo, aún permanece elevada.

Background Aortic valve disease is one of the most frequent causes of valve replacement in our environment. This study was performed based on the lack of information related to late outcomes in patients submitted to aortic valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis. Objective To assess the mortality, morbidity (major complications) and functional outcomes (clinical improvement) during the follow- up of patients with mechanical prosthesis placed in the aortic position. Material and Methods Ninety five patients submitted to aortic valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis were selected. Surgeries were performed between January 1999 and December 2006. Mean follow-up was 4±2.3 years; percentiles 25-75: 2.5-6.3 years. Total follow-up was 427.5 patients/year. Results Mean age was 64.5±12.3 years, 61.1% were men. Sixty patients (63%) were in functional class (FC) III-IV prior to surgery. During follow-up, 67 patients (70.5%) were en FC I and 28 (29.5%) in FC II. No patients presented FC III or IV. Mean effective valve area/body surface area was 1.06 cm²/m². Actuarial survival (Kaplan-Meier) was 95% (95% CI 88-98%) at one year and 89% at 5 years (95% CI 76-95%). Nine deaths (9.5%) were related to this condition. The incidence of complications was as follows: thromboembolism 0.2% patient/ year, bleeding 2.3% patient/year, and endocarditis 0.7% patient/ year. Re-operation rate was 0.4% patient/year. Conclusions These results were similar to those reported in international series in terms of survival and major complications. The number of adverse events observed at mid-term is still high, as it is all around the world.