For the purpose of early diagnosis of thrombosed valve, sound spectral analysis were performed in 113 cases on 196 times, using real time sound spectral analyzer. This system consisted of 30 mechanical band pass filters, 10 kilowords of memory, logic circuit and display system. Types of valves used in this study were Starr-Edwards #6520, #6120, #2320, #1260, Kay-Shiley and Björk-Shiley prosthesis. F 1/6 value of opening clicks, which represents the amount of high frequency components, ranged from 1580Hz to 2150Hz in noncomplicated cases, and differd according to the types of prosthesis. F 1/6 value of prosthesis with occuluder, made of silastic rubber, were significantly lower than that of prosthesis with occuluder, made of comparatively harder materials, such as Stellite, Derlin and pyrolite carbon. In Björk-Shiley prosthesis, F 1/6 value of closing clicks were significantly higher than that of opening clicks, but no definite correlations were observed in the other types of prostheses. Four cases of thrombosed valves were experienced in this series. Two MVR cases with Kay-Shiley valves demonstrated F 1/6 value of less than 1000Hz in closing clicks alone or both closing and opening clicks. The other case was TVR case with Starr-Edwards #6520, demonstrating markedly reduced F 1/6 of both opening and closing clicks, less than 750Hz. Reduced F 1/6 value of opening click of the last case, who underwent MVR with Starr-Edwards #6120, suggested thrombosed valve, however, other studies such as UCG, PCG, and cineangiography did not give proof to the findings in sound spectral analysis. Details of the last case was also reported, discussing clinical efficiency of this technique.
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