title: Evaluation of aortic valve replacement with a porcine xenograft without long-term anticoagulation.
abstract: From June, 1971, through November, 1974, 75 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with a Hancock "Stabilized Glutaraldehyde Process" porcine xenograft. Patients who underwent multiple valve replacements are not included in the study. Thirty-nine per cent of the patients had procedures for associated lesions or for removal of a Starr-Edwards prosthesis. The operative mortality rate was 6.7 per cent. Six patients died in the late postoperative period. Only one death was thought to be secondary to a valve-related problem. Actuarial analysis predicts 84 per cent survival at 3 years. Three patients initially received long-term antithromboembolic therapy. There have been three suspected or documented thromboembolic episodes (0.24 per cent per patient-month). Ten per cent of the patients surviving the operation developed murmurs of aortic insufficiency. There have been no documented valve failures. Ninety-eight per cent of the survivors have experienced an improvement in their New York Heart Association (N.Y.H.A.) classification.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013552:Swine; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants