title: Our experience with the Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis.
abstract: Sixty Carpentier-Edwards porcine valve bioprostheses stabilized with glutaraldehyde were implanted in 55 patients with acquired and congenital heart disease. The follow-up period ranged between 1 and 12 months. There were 3 hospital deaths (5%) and 2 late deaths (4%) in 24 mitral, 24 aortic, 5 mitral-aortic, 1 tricuspid and 1 pulmonary valve replacements. All patients were anticoagulated from the second postoperative day onwards for a period of 3 months after which those with sinus rhythm had their anticoagulants withdrawn. Paravalvular leakage led to re-operation in 3 cases (4%). No valve failure due to cusp rupture was encountered and no thromboembolic complications have occurred. Thirty-three patients were studied postoperatively by non-invasive methods and the results are presented.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000601:surgery; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000601:surgery; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin