title: Early-phase events with the mitroflow pericardial valve.
abstract: From January 1986 to January 1987, 116 Mitroflow pericardial valves were implanted in 98 patients at our center. Ages ranged from 10 to 83 years (mean, 64.9 years). Forty-three patients (44%) were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV at the time of surgery. Twelve patients (12%) had undergone prior cardiac surgery. Ten hospital deaths (10%) (70% Confidence Limits, 7% to 14%) occurred. Incremental risk factors for hospital death included female gender (p = 0.08), higher functional class preoperatively (p = 0.04), and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.05). All 88 hospital survivors (100%) were followed for 6 to 13 months (mean, 9 months) after repair. Two late deaths (2.3%) occurred: 1 at 1.5 months from subacute cardiac failure, and another at 5 months from non-valve-related sepsis. Actuarial survival at 15 months was 87% +/- 5.5%. No late reoperations were performed. One patient who exhibited mild mitral incompetence 4 months postoperatively is being followed closely. Two patients (2.3%) who were not on anticoagulant therapy developed thromboembolic events in association with chronic atrial fibrillation. No patient has had hemolysis or infective endocarditis. All patients are now in Functional Class I or II. Our early-phase assessment of this valve reveals a low risk of valve-related events. Its low-profile frame and wide, flexible sewing ring make this prosthesis technically satisfactory for implantation. Continuing close follow-up will determine intermediate-and late-phase hazards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, and the Deborah Research Institute, Browns Mills, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Lavin