This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LINHART, J. W. Articles by GREENBERG, J. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by LINHART, J. W. Articles by GREENBERG, J. J.

(Circulation. 1969;39:I-127.)
© 1969 American Heart Association, Inc.

---

Clinical and Hemodynamic Findings Following Replacement of the Mitral Valve with a Beall Valve Prosthesis (Dacron Velour-Covered Teflon-Disc Valve)

JOSEPH W. LINHART M.D.¹; S. SERGE BAROLD M.R.A.C.P.¹; FRANK J. HILDNER M.D.¹; PHILIP SAMET M.D.¹; JUAN C. PICCININI M.D.¹; JAMES L. MARSTEN M.D.¹; JACK J. GREENBERG ¹

¹ From the Divisions of Cardiology and Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Miami Beach, Florida, and the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Florida.

The first 21 survivors of mitral valve replacement with a Beall valve prosthesis were evaluated clinically and hemodynamically five months after surgery. Significant clinical improvement was noted in 18 of 21 patients. When compared with preoperative data, a significant improvement occurred in pulmonary artery and left atrial pressures, cardiac index, pulmonary vascular resistance, and in the mitral valve gradient. However, the majority of the patients still had mildly elevated left atrial and pulmonary artery pressures secondary to a mean resting prosthetic gradient of 7 mm Hg. Right heart pacing and exercise significantly increased the gradient and left atrial and pulmonary artery pressures. A remarkable freedom from thromboembolic complications was noted in this series of patients.