title: A Starr-Edwards mitral prosthesis after 44 years of good performance.
abstract: The Starr-Edwards caged-ball prosthesis has been widely used to replace cardiac valves. The Model 6120 mitral prosthesis was introduced on the market in 1965 to reduce the high incidence of ball variance and thromboembolism of the previous model. We report the case of a Starr-Edwards Model 6120 which had been in place for 44 years and was still well functioning with no apparent structural damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca Salvatore
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: De Santo
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Della Corte
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cerasuolo
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santé
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torella
authors.forename: Gianantonio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013997:Time Factors