title: Multicenter Analysis of Clinical Follow-Ups in Patients with a Star GK Cardiac Valve Replacement for More than One Year.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Star GK valves were widely used in China, and we studied the clinical follow-up results of patients with Star GK valve implants for more than one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data were collected from those patients who had Star GK valve implants for over one year. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) AVR group: received aortic valve replacement surgery. Based on the valve model this group was further sub-divided into two groups: 21A group, and 23A group; (2) MVR group: received mitral valve replacement surgery. Based on the valve model this group was further sub-divided into three groups: 25M group, 27M group, and 29M group; (3) DVR group: received combined replacement surgeries including AVR + MVR. According to postoperative follow-up time these patients were divided into two groups: 1-year group and 3-year group. Follow-up data were collected by telephone, outpatient visits, or correspondence. Clinical data were aggregated by professional data scientists to conduct independent analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  959 patients were included in the study following Star GK valve implant. Follow-up after 1 year found that thrombosis occurred in 4 cases, hemorrhage in 15 cases, left heart failure in 13 cases, paravalvular leakage in 5 cases, and death due to cardiac causes in 2 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-term efficacy of Star GK valve implants was satisfactory with low incidence of valve-related complications, and following Star GK valve implant, valve and blood were highly compatible and blood component damage was minor. Very low incidence rate of thrombosis was observed following Star GK valve implant, however, attention should be paid to adjust the anticoagulation intensity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Mingwen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Yingbin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
authors.forename: Daozhong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Pingfan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College, Nanyang, China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanyang City Center Hospital, Nanyang, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications