title: Results of valve replacement with the Lillehei-Kaster disc prosthesis.
abstract: The results of valve replacement in 150 patients with Lillehei-Kaster aortic and mitral prostheses followed for 20 to 40 months are reviewed. Actuarial analysis showed 78 per cent cummulative thromboembolic-free rate three years following mitral valve replacement and 89 per cent following aortic valve replacement. Five patients had a total of six episodes of mitral valve thrombosis despite anticoagulant therapy. Early detection of mitral valve obstruction was difficult because a mid-diastolic murmur and absence of an opening sound was frequently encountered in normally functioning prostheses. Hemodynamic results assessed clinically in patients with nonthrombosed prostheses were satisfactory.
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D006326:Heart Auscultation; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality