[6 years clinical experience with the TEKNA bivalve heart valve prosthesis].
OBJECTIVE
The revised Edwards-Duromedics valve was introduced onto the market in June 1990. In September 1993, the producer changed the name of the valve to TEKNA, which is a low profile, bileaflet, mechanical prosthesis with a self-irrigating hinge mechanism. The results of a prospective follow-up study after valve replacement with this prosthesis are presented.


METHODS
From November 1990 to December 1996, 173 TEKNA prostheses were implanted in 161 patients (73 men, 88 women), either in the aortic (AVR; 48.4%), mitral (MVR; 44.1%), or aortic and mitral positions (DVR; 7.5%). Patient ages ranged from 17 to 83 years (mean age 59.2 +/- 8.7 years). Follow-up was 97.5% complete, comprising 433.15 patient-years for a mean follow-up of 34.8 +/- 23 months.


RESULTS
Overall operative (30-day) mortality was 4.97%. Fifteen patients died in the late period, corresponding to a linearized late mortality rate of 3.5%/pt-yr. Actuarial survival at six years was 75.3% +/- 6.2% overall. The actuarial freedom from complications was calculated as follows (linearized rates in parentheses): valve-related mortality 91.3% +/- 5.1% (0.92%/pt-yr); thromboembolism 94.2% +/- 2.5% (1.62%/pt-yr); valve thrombosis 98.6 +/- 1.0% (0.46%/pt-yr); bleeding events 85.9% +/- 4.7% (2.77%/pt-yr); prosthetic valve endocarditis 98.6 +/- 0.9% (0.46%/pt-yr); nonstructural dysfunction 93.2 +/- 3.2% (1.38%/pt-yr); reoperation 87.1 +/- 5.3% (2.08%/pt-yr). Functional class according to NYHA was improved from preoperatively 72.05% in III or IV to 6-year postoperative 94.2% in I or II.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical performance of the TEKNA valve is quite satisfactory, with low incidence of valve-related complications. No structural deterioration has been observed. Further, the patients physical ability and quality of life were significantly improved.
Hoda
M R
MR
Universitätsklinik für Chirurgie, Klinische Abteilung für Herz-Thorax-Chirurgie Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien, Universität Wien. hoda_md@hotmail.com
Laufer
G
G
Moidl
R
R
Simon
P
P
Eigenbauer
E
E
Moritz
A
A
Wolner
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012086:Reoperation