Early results of a new mechanical tri-leaflet heart valve prosthesis--"Tricusp": an animal study.
OBJECTIVE
A new tri-leaflet mechanical heart valve made of titanium was inserted in the mitral position to evaluate early results.


RESULTS
Five sheep were followed between 3 and 6 months (mean 4.7 months) and performed very well clinically during the follow-up period. In three of five animals a minor para-valvular leakage without hemodynamic importance was observed. The invasive pressure measurements at the end of follow-up revealed only minor transvalvular pressure differences between 1 and 4 mmHg (mean 2.4 mmHg). Similar results were obtained by echo-Doppler technique. Histological examination of the tissue around the valve showed no signs of foreign body reaction or chronic inflammatory reaction.


CONCLUSIONS
This new tri-leaflet heart valve has shown an excellent hemodynamic performance and good tissue compatibility, and therefore may be an alternative to other currently used valve prostheses.
Pehrsson
S Kenneth
SK
Departmen tof Cardiology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Eriksson
Maria J
MJ
Lentell
Jan C
JC
Bowald
Staffan
S
D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000401:mortality; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*