(Circulation. 1995;92:101-106.)
© 1995 American Heart Association, Inc.
Articles |
From St Paul's Hospital and Vancouver Hospital and Health Science Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Correspondence to Dr W.R. Eric Jamieson, St Paul's Hospital, c/o 910 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E3, Canada.
| Abstract |
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Key Words: prostheses
| Introduction |
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The purpose of this article is to evaluate the clinical performance of BPs and MPs when age and CABG are considered confounders.
| Methods |
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The patient population is
detailed in Table 1
. The BP
group consisted of 1378 AVRs with 502 (36.4%) CABG procedures and 975
MVRs with 298 (30.6%) CABGs. The MP group comprised 551 AVRs with 114
(20.7%) CABGs and 561 MVRs with 107 (19.1%) CABGs. Each patient
population by valve replacement and with or without CABG was
subdivided, as documented, into age groups of <60 years, 60 to 69
years, and
70 years.
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Statistical Analysis
The standard guidelines and definitions
of terms of the Society
of Thoracic Surgeons have been used for formulation of the
valve-related complications and composites.7 The
survival and freedom curves for complications and composites of
complications were calculated by the actuarial method of Cutler-Ederer
and illustrated in yearly intervals with the number of operations
entering at chosen intervals, the cumulative proportions surviving or
remaining, and standard errors. The Lee-Desu statistic was used to
compare the survival and freedom curves. Multivariate
proportional-hazard regression analysis (Cox model) was
applied to assess which preoperative factors were significant
independent predictors of survival and other valve-related
complications and composites of valve-related complications (BMDP
programs 2L, University of California, Los Angeles). The examined
covariates were the following: age groupings (<60, 60 to 69,
70
years), CABG (yes/no), and valve type (mechanical/biological). A
two-tailed value of P<.05 was considered statistically
significant for the study.
| Results |
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The freedom from TE and ATH for AVR and MVR is
illustrated in Figs 3
and 4
. For AVR, the
freedom from TE and
ATH for BP without CABG was 84.6±1.7% and for MP without CABG,
71.7±5.3%, at 8 years after replacement (P<.05). The
freedom for AVR was 83.5±2.5% for BP with CABG and 70.1±8.7% for
MP
with CABG, at 8 years (P<.05). CABG and valve type did not
influence freedom from TE and ATH for MVR (P=NS).
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Valve-related mortality was not influenced by CABG for AVR and MVR,
for the overall population (P=NS) (Figs 5
and
6
). Figs 7
and 8
illustrate the freedom from valve-related reoperation. CABG
influenced the freedom for AVR and MVR. For AVR, the freedom from
valve-related reoperation was 96.8±1.4% for BP with CABG and
91.0±1.4% for BP without CABG at 8 years (P<.05). For
MVR, the freedom was 88.0±3.4% for BP with CABG and 83.4±2.1%
for
BP without CABG (P<.05) at 8 years.
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Influence of Prosthesis Type
The influence of prosthesis type
on patient survival by
valve position is shown in Figs 1
and 2
. For
AVR, the survival for MP
without CABG was greater than BP without CABG (P<.05), and
for MVR the same relationship applied for replacement without CABG
(P<.05). The relationship did not exist for replacement
with CABG (P=NS).
The freedom from TE and ATH for AVR
and MVR is shown in Figs 3
and 4
.
In MVR, the prosthesis type had no influence on TE and ATH. For
AVR, freedom from BP without CABG was greater than MP without CABG
(P<.05) and greater for BP with CABG over BP without CABG
(P<.05).
The prosthesis type had no influence on freedom from valve-related mortality or reoperation for either AVR or MVR (P=NS).
Influence of Age (Groups)
The influence of age groups on
patient survival and
valve-related complications and composites on valve positions with
and without CABG are detailed in Tables 2
and 3
.
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Patient survival is influenced significantly for all patient groups except for the mechanical AVR with CABG, mechanical MVR without CABG, and mechanical MVR with CABG groups.
The BP AVR without CABG had the
only significant findings, by age
groups, for total and major TE and ATH (Table 2
). The age
groups had no
influence in the MVRs (P=NS).
The freedom from
valve-related reoperation is also
presented in Tables 2
and 3
. The freedom for AVR
with BPs
without CABG was more significant (P<.05) for patients 60
to 69 years of age than those <60 years of age, and for those
70
years of age than those 60 to 69 years of age. For BP with CABG for
AVR, significance for
70 years of age was greater than for <60 years
of age, and for MP with CABG, significance for 60 to 69 years of age
was greater than <60 years of age (P<.05). The freedom for
MVR was affected by age groups only for the BP without CABG
70 years
than <60 years (P<.05).
Covariate Assessment (Proportional-Hazard
Regression)
The covariates, namely, CABG, valve type, and age groups
(<60, 60
to 69, and
70 years) were evaluated for the aortic position (Table
4
) and for the mitral position (Table 5
)
by the multivariate proportional-hazard regression
analysis.
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In the aortic position, CABG had no influence on survival or valve-related complications or composites of valve-related complications (P=NS). The prosthesis type had influence on freedom from valve-related mortality and TE and ATH. The freedom from valve-related mortality was greater for the BP group (P<<.05) and from TE and ATH was greater for the BP group (P<<.05). The freedom from major TE and ATH was lower with BPs but was not significant (P=NS).
Age was a significant covariate for AVR for all areas of assessment. Survival was lower with advancing age (P<<.05). The freedom from TE and ATH was less with older age as was freedom from valve-related mortality (P<<.05). The freedom from reoperation was greater with advancing years (P<<.05).
The assessment by the multivariate proportional-hazard regression analysis was different for the mitral position. CABG reduced survival (P<.05) and created greater freedom from reoperation (P<.05). The BPs had greater freedom from TE and ATH than MPs (P<.05).
Patients of advancing years with prostheses placed in the mitral position had a lower survival rate (P<<.05), greater freedom from valve-related mortality (P<<.05), and greater freedom from valve-related reoperation (P<<.05). The freedom from TE and ATH was less with advancing years but not significant (P=NS).
| Discussion |
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The randomized trials have provided several conclusions, the majority known from nonrandomized studies. Bleeding complications from anticoagulation are predominant in the mechanical valve populations. The prevalence rates of TE, thrombosis, and prosthetic valve endocarditis are the same for MPs and BPs. Reoperations are necessary for structural failure of BPs and paravalvular leak of MPs. Porcine BPs fail more frequently in the mitral position than in the aortic position 5 or more years after implantation. The increased risk of reoperation with BPs appeared to be a high price to pay for the reduced risk of bleeding afforded by the avoidance of anticoagulation. The freedom from death, reoperation, major embolism, and endocarditis was less with porcine BPs, especially in the mitral position.
The influence of patient-related variables on valve-related
complications to facilitate the choice of BPs versus MPs has received
limited attention. Age as a patient-related variable has been
evaluated by a limited number of
investigators.2 3 4 5 6
The
results of these reports have delineated the indications that numerous
centers follow for the implantation of BPs and MPs. BPs are indicated
for AVR for patients
65 years of age and for MVR for patients
70
years of age who do not require anticoagulation, as well as women
during child-bearing years or patients with contraindications to
anticoagulation. MPs are considered for patients categorized as younger
than those designated for BPs. The purpose of this article is to
consider the influence of both age and concomitant myocardial
revascularization on patient survival and
significant valve-related complications and composites of these
complications, namely, valve-related mortality, residual morbidity,
and reoperation.
The documented influence of age will initially be reviewed. In 1988, Jamieson and colleagues3 demonstrated the advancing freedom from structural valve deterioration for both AVR and MVR with each decade of life at implantation. The study also demonstrated the greater freedom from structural failure with AVR than MVR. Jamieson and coauthors2 in 1991 again reported that age was a predictor of structural valve deterioration, but that structural failure had little influence on valve-related mortality and residual morbidity. In the same year, the authors4 identified mitral position as well as age as predictors of structural valve deterioration.
The results of BP use in the elderly have been reported since
1988.11 12 13 The detailed report on
structural valve
deterioration by Burr and colleagues13 summarizes the
overall consideration. The long-term freedom from structural
failure for AVR with the Carpentier-Edwards porcine BP was 98% for age
group 65 to 69 years at 15 years after replacement, 95% for 70 to 79
years at 13 years, and 100% for
80 years at 13 years. For MVR, the
freedom was 85% at 7 years for the age group 65 to 69 years, 95% at 7
years for 70 to 79 years, and 100% at 6 years for patients
80 years.
We generally concluded that if structural failure was in progress it
did not advance so as to necessitate reoperation or contribute to
mortality. Pelletier and coinvestigators5 reported that
for the age group 65 to 80 years, the freedom from structural valve
deterioration was 93% and the freedom from reoperation was 92% at 12
years with the Carpentier-Edwards porcine BP. These authors concluded
that age was a determinant of durability of BPs but not of the overall
success of the management.
The present study evaluates the clinical performance of BPs
and MPs to 8 years after AVR or MVR with consideration of age groups
(<60, 60 to 69,
70 years) and concomitant CABG. The study was
performed to evaluate the hypothesis that since coronary artery
disease reduced life expectancy, the indications for BPs could be
extended to younger age groups with the valve-related mortality and
residual morbidity and reoperation less than for MPs.
CABG compromised survival with mechanical AVRs from 79% at 8 years after replacement to 69% at 5 years. The same relationship existed for BP MVR; the survival without CABG was 64% and with CABG was 46%. Concomitant CABG extended greater freedom from reoperation for AVR and MVR BPs at 8 years. The freedom from reoperation for AVR, at 8 years, was 97% for BPs with CABG and 91% for BPs without CABG. The freedom from reoperation for MVR, at 8 years, was 88% for BPs with CABG and 83% for BPs without CABG. For AVR with CABG, the freedom from reoperation, at 8 years, was 97% for BPs and 86% for MPs. These observations generally concur that concomitant CABG compromises survival and translates into greater freedom from reoperation over MPs especially in the aortic position. Reoperations with MPs are generally early and due to periprosthetic leak and prosthetic valve endocarditis, while reoperations for BPs occur generally after 8 years, for structural valve deterioration.
BPs provide greater freedom from TE and ATH for AVR with and without CABG. For AVR, the freedom was 85% for BPs without CABG and 72% for MPs without CABG at 8 years, and with CABG, 84% and 70%, respectively. The freedom from major TE and ATH and residual morbidity for BPs was 96% and for MPs was 94%, at 8 years, for major TE plus hemorrhagic complications of anticoagulants, and 99% and 96% for residual morbidity or permanent impairment.
The evaluation of the covariates by multivariate proportional-hazard regression analysis provided further refinement from the actuarial analysis of the influence on clinical performance. The influence of CABG, valve type, and age groupings was assessed individually on survival, valve-related complications, and composites of valve-related complications.
For AVR, survival was influenced only by advancing age and not by coronary artery disease and valve type as was illustrated by the actuarial analysis. Valve-related mortality was influenced by valve type and age, with greater freedom for BPs and lesser freedom for advancing years. The freedom from reoperation was influenced only by advancing age. The freedom from TE and ATH was greater for BPs and less for advancing age. The freedom from major TE and ATH was influenced negatively by advancing age. The freedom from residual morbidity (permanent impairment) followed freedom from major TE and ATH.
For MVR, survival was influenced negatively by CABG and advancing age. The freedom from valve-related mortality was influenced only by age with less freedom from advancing age. The freedom from reoperation was greater for MVR in the presence of CABG. Advancing age also increased the freedom from reoperation. The freedom from TE and ATH was greater for BPs. The freedom from major TE and ATH and residual morbidity was not influenced by coronary artery disease, valve type, or age groups.
In summary, this study reveals that, at 8 years after valve replacement by actuarial analysis, CABG compromises survival with AVR MPs and MVR BPs while providing greater freedom from reoperation for AVR and MVR BPs. Also by actuarial analysis, AVR with CABG provides greater freedom from reoperation with BPs than MPs. On the contrary, by regressive analysis, CABG did not influence AVR, survival, or freedom from reoperation but did so for MVR. Age was the influencing factor on survival and freedom from reoperation for both positions.
This study of patient-related variables on valve-related complications for comparison of utilization of BPs and MPs must be extended from 8 years to 12 and 15 years. The University of British Columbia has BP experience to 15 and 18 years but not equivalent MP experience.
| Selected Abbreviations and Acronyms |
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| References |
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