title: Experiences with various types of mitral valve prostheses.
abstract: During the period 1967-1973, four different types of mitral valve prostheses were used by the same surgical group. Altogether 139 patients are included in this study. With the exception of the surgical approach, the operative technique was the same in all groups. The total mortality varied from 17% in the group receiving the Björk-Shiley valve to 40% in the Beall valve group. Thrombo-embolic complications were responsible for three deaths in the Beall and one death in the Lillehei-Nakib group. All patients had been on the adequate anticoagulant therapy. At follow-up, 40 to 77% of the patients had improved functional class, the best results being obtained in the Björk-Shiley group. The diastolic gradients across the prosthetic valves varied from 9 to 4 mmHg at rest. Again, the Björk-Shiley valve gave the most favourable result. The results and significance of the various parameters are briefly discussed.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis