title: Special report: 26-year durability of a bioprosthesis implanted in a 21-year-old patient.
abstract: The choice of prosthetic heart valve type is largely dependent upon patient's age at implantation and on what, in his eyes, seems more pertinent: avoidance of complications associated with anticoagulation of mechanical valves or structural valve deterioration of bioprosthetic valves. Long lasting and new promising concepts such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation are promoting the use of bioprosthesis even in younger patients. However, it is up to the individual patient to decide.
authors: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart Center Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany.
authors: Torulv
authors: T
authors: Holst
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Reichert
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Haldenwang
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Vadim
authors: V
authors: Moustafine
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Bechtel
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Justus
authors: J
authors: Strauch
authors: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart Center Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany.
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Knipp
keywords: aortic valve; heart valve replacement; transapical; transcatheter aortic valve implantation