title: Long-term results after aortic valve replacement with the Biocor PSB stentless xenograft in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study seeks to define the long-term results after Biocor PSB stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) in elderly patients, including the effects of No-React treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the outcomes of 106 consecutive patients, aged 70+/-6 years, having Biocor PSB (93 standard, 13 No-React) AVR between October 1992 and October 1996.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were three early deaths (3%) and 15 late deaths (15%), during a mean follow-up of 5.8+/-1.6 years. At 8 years, survival was 82%+/-4% and freedom from cardiac death was 94%+/-3%. Freedom from valve failure was 92%+/-4% at 8 years (No-React: 92%+/-8% at 4 years). Replacement of the xenograft was required in 5 patients. Freedom from reoperation was 91%+/-4% at 8 years (No-React: 92%+/-8% at 4 years). Four bleeding and two embolic events were recorded: overall valve-related event-free survival was 81%+/-7% at 8 years (No-React: 76%+/-12% at 4 years). Age of long-term survivors averaged 77+/-5 years and their New York Heart Association status was 1.3+/-0.6 (versus 2.9+/-0.6 preoperatively, p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Satisfactory freedom from cardiac events and from valve deterioration added to uniform improvement in functional status despite advanced age and high prevalence of comorbid conditions make AVR with the Biocor PSB xenograft a valid long-term therapy for the elderly. No-React treatment does not influence xenograft durability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Verona, Italy. luciani@netbusiness.it
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Auriemma
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barozzi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bertolini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzucco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015607:Stents; D015996:Survival Rate