This Article Order Full text via Infotrieve 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 Similar articles in PubMed 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 Kutsche, L. M. Articles by Baum, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kutsche, L. M. Articles by Baum, D.

Circulation, Vol 60, 98-103, Copyright © 1979 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

An important complication of Hancock mitral valve replacement in children

LM Kutsche, P Oyer, N Shumway and D Baum

Nine children ages 2--15 years have undergone mitral valve replacement (MVR) with Hancock porcine heterograft valves for severe mitral insufficiency. The etiology of the mitral valve disease was rheumatic in two patients, and congenital in seven. Porcine valve sizes ranged from 19--31 mm. Follow-up has been from 1.6 to 6.1 years (mean, 4.3 years). All nine children have had marked postoperative improvement, no thromboembolic complications despite no long-term anticoagulations, and no episodes of endocarditis. There have been no early or late deaths. Although six of the nine patients remain asymptomatic, three others developed severe fibrocalcific obstruction of the heterograft, requiring valve re-replacement at 3.5, 3.6, and 4.8 years following the initial valve replacement. This complication has not been previously reported in children. It is a factor that must be considered when deciding on MVR for children and their postoperative management.