title: Long-term follow-up of artificial valves in patients under 15 years old.
abstract: Forty-nine artificial cardiac valves implanted in 44 patients less than 15 years old were reviewed. Out of 49 valves, 16 were mechanical and 33 were xenografts. Average follow-up was 2 years 5 months. Marked valvular stenosis developed in 11 out of the 33 xenografts, an incidence of 15% per patient-year. In patients with a xenograft valve, the incidence of sepsis was found to be 4% per patient-year and brain accidents, 4% per patient-year. In patients with mechanical valves, the incidence of stenosis was only 2% per patient-year and brain accidents, 2% per patient-year. There was no sepsis. From these follow-up results, mechanical valves seem to be superior to xenografts when used in patients less than 15 years old.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002114:Calcinosis; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors