Since 1967, an artificial heart valve, named “Triflaps valve” has been tested. This valve prosthesis has three curved flaps and opens like a fan up to 70 degrees so that be able to maintain the central flow with a minimal turbulent.
In the experiment, this prosthesis was inserted into vena cava purposely to observe thromboformation on it. Five hours after the implantation of this prosthesis in vena cava, very thin thrombomembranous layer was spread over the surface of the flap, however that was implanted into descending aorta was not showed any thrombomembranous layer on the surface of the flap except around the joint.
Secondary, replacement in canine heart with this prosthesis was done to study hemodynamics experimentally. The valve prosthesis showed well competence.
Following repeated experiments, a female patient suffering from mitral stenoinsufficiency with chronic nephritis was replaced with this prosthetic valve for the first time.
This patient was unfortunately died of cardiopulmonary failure caused by uremia two days postoperatively. However, this “Triflaps valve” gave to us a big expectation of clinical use.
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