title: The 37-year durability of a Björk-Shiley Delrin-disc aortic valve prosthesis.
abstract: We report the exceptional longevity of a Björk-Shiley Delrin-disc prosthetic aortic valve that had been implanted in a man who underwent surgical correction of an ascending aortic aneurysm 37 years later. Upon explantation of the valve, the Delrin disc had only shallow abrasion on the ventricular surface, and none on the aortic surface. We discuss the soundness and durability of this valve in our patient, in contrast with its short functional prosthetic life in other patients. The 37-year lifespan of this patient's Björk-Shiley Delrin-disc valve is among the longest reported.
authors: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Mauriziano Hospital Umberto I, L.go Turati 62, 10135 Turin, Italy. fabrisans@katamail.com
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Sansone
authors: Edoardo
authors: E
authors: Zingarelli
authors: Guglielmo Mario
authors: GM
authors: Actis Dato
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Punta
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Flocco
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: del Ponte
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Casabona
mesh_terms: D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020878:Device Removal; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult