ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The Allcarbon tilting disc valve has been used for valve replacement at the present authors' institution since 1993. Herein is reported their experience with Allcarbon valve implantation. METHODS: Between March 1993 and December 1998, Allcarbon valves were implanted in 599 patients (341 males, 258 females; mean age 36.2 years; range: 7-64 years). Among patients, 238 underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR), 217 aortic valve replacement (AVR), and 144 double valve replacement (DVR). The etiology of valve disease was rheumatic in 91% of cases. Follow up was 95.7% complete; cumulative follow up was 3,185 patient-years. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 2.2% (13/599). Actuarial survival at eight years was 96.6 +/- 1.2% after MVR, 96.1 +/- 1.3% after AVR, and 97.9 +/- 1.2% after DVR. Freedom from valve thrombosis at eight years was 97.0 +/- 1.3% after MVR, 100% after AVR, and 90.0 +/- 9.5% after DVR. Freedom from major bleeding at eight years was 90.0 +/- 2.7% after MVR, 93.5 +/- 2.6% after AVR, and 79.7 +/- 7.6% after DVR. There was one embolic episode after MVR. No structural valve failure was observed. Freedom from reoperation on implanted valves at eight years was 96.1 +/- 1.4% after MVR, 97.9 +/- 1.0% after AVR, and 97.9 +/- 1.5% after DVR. On completion of follow up, 91.3% of survivors were in NYHA class I, 8.5% in class II, and 0.2% in class III. CONCLUSION: Among a population of mostly young patients with rheumatic valve disease, the Allcarbon valve showed satisfactory clinical performance when implanted in the mitral and aortic positions.
