[Repeated failure of the suture line of an aortic valve prosthesis. Treatment by implantation of a valvular tube in the supra-coronary position]. / Dehiscencia recidivante de la línea de sutura de prótesis valvulares aórticas. Tratamiento por implantación de tubo valvulado en posición supracoronaria.

We present our 7 years' experience in the treatment of repeated stitch failure of the suture line on aortic valve replacements. We used a valved tube placed in the supra-coronary position. This technique prevented further stitch failure and also prevented postop infections. Of eight patients operated on, five had survived.

[Dysfunction of valvular prostheses. Results of surgical treatment]. / Disfunción de prótesis valvulares. Resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico.

Twenty six of malfunctioning valve prosthesis (one patient with two prosthesis) operated between may 1977 and may 1980 at the National Institute of Cardiology of Mexico are revised. Seventeen prosthesis were implanted in the mitral position and 10 in the aortic position. A comparative study is male between the different types of prosthesis, especially between the duramater and the Björk prosthesis. Clinical diagnosis of malfunctioning prosthesis was made in all the patients; cardiac catherization was done in 20 patients. Phono and Echocardiography were useful tools in most cases. The most frequent causes of prothesis malfunction were: thrombosis, valve rupture and para-valvular leaks. The Bjork prosthesis are the most thrombogenic of all. Valve rupture was prevalent with the duramater prosthesis. Five patients died (19%); acute dysfunction accounted most deaths. The duramater prosthesis have a similar percentage of dysfunction as the most accepted prosthesis; a suggestion is made to modify the supportive ring to make it more beneficial.