title: Pulmonary valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis: long-term results in 4 patients.
abstract: Pulmonary valve replacement is rarely performed and is usually done with biological prostheses or grafts. The use of mechanical prostheses is still a debated issue. We analyzed the outcome of 4 patients at 11 years after pulmonary valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis. During follow-up, all patients remained asymptomatic, with no arrhythmias and good anticoagulation. An echocardiogram showed preserved ventricular contraction and normal function of the prostheses, with low pressure gradients. No infective endocarditis occurred. Mechanical prostheses appear to be a good choice for pulmonary valve replacement. Surgical and clinical results were satisfactory with no complications, acceptable pressure gradients, and good ventricular function after more than 10 years. Lifelong anticoagulation is mandatory, but this is usually well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita-S. Anna, Torino, Italy. deorsola@libero.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deorsola
authors.forename: Pietro Angelo
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aidala
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cascarano
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valori
authors.forename: Grace Amina
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ochieng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome