Long-term Prognosis of Mitral or Aortic Valve Replacement by a Starr-Edwards Prosthesis

Abstract

A Starr-Edwards Silastic ball-valve prosthesis was inserted in 100 seriously disabled patients with isolated aortic (55 cases) or mitral (45 cases) valve disease. The follow-up study for periods of three years or more resulted in the following points. The overall mortality rate reached 35 percent in both groups, but the operative risks were three times less in the aortic than in the mitral group. Thromboemboli, which might be effectively prevented by a carefully controlled anticoagulant treatment were the most common complication. The ball variance, after aortic valve replacement, seemed to be inescapable in the long run. The functional improvement was mainly reached during the second year following the operation and remained steady for a period of over three years, ie, half of the patients were able to resume a professional activity.