The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 19, 659-669, Copyright © 1975 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Twelve-year experience with mitral valve replacement
JW Rubin, RG Ellison, HV Moore, RJ Harp and WS Hitch
Between 1962 and 1974, 203 mitral prostheses were implanted in 201
patients. Of the 102 survivors, 29 have Beall, 25 Kay-Shiley, 22 Starr-
Edwards (SE) 6000, and 27 SE 6320 valves. Full rehabilitation was achieved
in 25 patients with Beall and 23 with SE 6320 valves. Sixteen with SE 6000
valves remain normally active. Only 8 with Kay-Shiley prostheses have
resumed normal activities. Systemic embolization occurred with the
following frequencies per 1,000 patient-months: 13.7 for those receiving
the Kay-Shiley valve; 7.2 in the SE 6000 group; 4.3 after SE 6320
implantations; and 3;1 for the Beall group. Other prosthesis-related
complications that were much less frequent included detachment (10),
bacterial endocarditis (5), and hemolysis (10). Three Kay-Shiley valves
malfunctioned. Life table analyses reveal the following survival rates: 33%
after 11 years in the SE 6000 patients, 50% after 7.5 years in the
Kay-Shiley group, 69% 2.5 years after SE 6320 implantation, and 65% 3.5
years after replacement with a Beall valve. Evidence is presented to
support the extension of operative treatment to patients with less advanced
valvular heart disease. Postoperative anticoagulation remains an unresolved
issue despite lower rates of thromboembolism. More cumulative analyses of
survival and morbidity and follow-up hemodynamic data are needed to assess
the Beall and SE 6320 prostheses now employed in our valve replacement
program.