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(Circulation. 1973;48:III-51.)
© 1973 American Heart Association, Inc.

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Experience with the Björk-Shiley Prosthetic Valve

DERWARD LEPLEY JR. M.D.¹; CHARLES F. REUBEN M.D.¹; ROBERT J. FLEMMA M.D.¹; JOHN H. HUSTON M.D.¹; JOHN C. MANLEY M.D.¹; JAMES F. HOFFMAN M.D.¹; ALFRED J. TECTOR M.D.¹

¹ From The Medical College of Wisconsin and St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

One hundred and eighty-nine patients who had valvular replacement with 213 Björk-Shiley prosthetic heart valves are presented who are 6 months to 2 years postoperative. Surgical mortality was 2.6% in mitral valve replacement and 8.8% in aortic valve replacement. The late mortality for the entire series was 2.9%. Four patients had episodes of embolization, all from mitral prostheses. Only two incidences of paraprosthetic leaks were noted in patients with mitral valves, and none in patients with valves in the aortic position. The authors believe this prosthesis to be superior in its hemodynamic characteristics and wear durability, with few late complications.

Key Words: Pressure gradient • Anticoagulation • Saphenous vein bypass grafts