Valve replacement in children.
The performance of the St. Jude prosthetic valve is reviewed in 81 patients aged 3 to 15 years. All 66 mitral (2 re-replacements), 8 aortic and 9 double valve replacements between February 1979 and August 1984 are included. The early mortality was 3.7% and actuarial analysis shows a 90% event free survival up to 5 years. Anticoagulant therapy was used in most patients, but comparison between groups receiving warfarin or aspirin or no therapy reveals no differences in the complication rate. The valve is well suited for use in children since the early degeneration seen with heterograft valves does not occur, and anticoagulation is not essential.
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000293:Adolescent; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001021:Aortic Valve; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants