The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 19, 487-493, Copyright © 1975 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Fifty-two consecutive aortic valve replacements employing local deep hypothermia
DF Pupello, RH Blank, RG Connar, LN Bessone, S Sbar and A Stevenson
From August, 1972, to May, 1974, 52 consecutive aortic valves were replaced
with the Bjork-Shiley tilting-disc prosthesis. The hospital mortality was
zero. Patients ranged in age from 14 to 77 years, and 19 patients had
simultaneous correction of associated cardiac lesions. Using techniques of
low flow and local deep hypothermia, aortic valve replacement can be
accomplished with little risk even in patients with associated coronary
arteriosclerosis. Coronary artery perfusion is unnecessary and often
hazardous. Follow-up periods vary from one to twenty-one months. Forty-nine
patients are alive and substantially improved.