EARLY AND LONG TERM RESULTS AFTER MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT WITH THE ST. JUDE MEDICAL PROSTHESIS

Abstract

Between 1980 and 1992, 583 patients received mitral valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis and their early and late results were studied. The prosthesis was placed in anatomical position in 143 patients until 1983, and then the prosthesis was implanted in anti-anatomical position since 1984. Postoperative anti-coagulant therapy was initiated with both dipyridamole and warfarin potassium. The total follow-up was 3176 patient-years. Early deaths occurred in 18 patients. the cerebral embolic or bleeding complications occurred in 21 patients (0.66/100 patient-years) and late cardiac events were seen in 65 patients (1.98/100 patient-years). Late death occurred in 42 patients (1.08/100 patient-years). Ninety % of the patients were followed up, and the survival rate at 5 or 10 years after operation was 91.2% or 87.8%, respectively. Postoperative New York Heart Association functional class was I or II in 89.1%. The clinical results after MVR with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis showed excellent durability and patients showed good improvement of the symptoms.