Long-term follow-up in 262 patients after aortic valve replacement with the Lillehei-Kaster prosthesis. Overall results and prosthesis-related complications.

Abstract

A follow-up was carried out in 262 patients after aortic valve replacement with the Lillehei-Kaster prosthesis. One hundred and ninety-one males and seventy-one females with a mean age of 53 years provided a total of 1385 observation years. The operative mortality was 7.3%. The long-term survival rates for the total series amounted to 74% after 5 years and 61% after 9 years. The great majority of survivors showed a marked improvement in functional capacity and a significant decrease in heart volume. Angina pectoris disappeared in 76 out of 79 patients, and exertional syncope vanished in 61 out of 62 patients. All patients received long-term anticoagulant treatment. The percentage of patients free from thromboembolic events amounted to 90 +/- 2% after 9 years, and the percentage free from valve related morbidity and mortality was 82 +/- 3% after 9 years. Only one instance of valve thrombosis was seen, and fracture of the prosthesis was never encountered. These results compare very favourably with those obtained with the Starr-Edwards or the Björk-Shiley prostheses.