• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1001-1012
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• 1989

In 1968, Carpentier and his associates introduced glutaraldehyde as a compound for preparing cardiac tissue valve, and this technique has provided a considerably more suitable and durable tissue valve substitute. To increase further durability of valve tissue, Reis and his colleagues designed a flexible stent to reduce the stress on the heterogeneous tissue valve mounted. However with the advent of more innovative mechanical valve currently, many bioprosthetic valves are being substituted by mechanical valves at our department of cardiothoracic surgery because of bioprosthetic valve failure. Main cause of bioprosthetic valves failure were calcification or/and tear of tissue valves. The purpose of this retrospective study is to clarify the relationship between the patients clinical profile during implantation of tissue valves and pathologic features of the failed bioprosthetic valve. From March, 1982 through June, 1988, 53 bioprosthetic heart valves that had been ex-planted from 45 patients at the department of cardiac surgery of Yonsei University Hospital were subjected to this study. The patients were 10 to 65 year-old [mean age: 30.3 yr] with 17 males and 28 females. Re-replacements of prosthetic valves were carried out twenty nine in mitral position, eight in aortic position and eight in both aortic and mitral position simultaneously. The grading and location for calcification of valves were verified by radiograms. The calcification of the explanted valves leaflets was graded from 0 to 4 plus according to Cipriano and associates method. The types of tear and perforation of leaflet were classified into four types as Ishihara has adopted initially in 1981. In younger age group under thirty three years, explanted tissue valves were significantly more affected in terms of grades of severity of valve calcification as compared with older age group [p < 0.035]. Valve calcification appeared more severe in male as compared to female [p< 0.002]. Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial bioprosthetic valves showed more severe calcification than Hancock porcine tissue valves [p< 0.035]. Calcium deposit was found very prevalent at the area of commissural attachment [86 % of all]. Type I of valve rupture was shown to be related with simultaneous calcification. However, the relation of explanted valve position, duration of implanted prosthetic valve, atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy to the severity of bioprosthetic valve calcification were not significantly clear statistically [p > 0.05].

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2024

Background: This study compared the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients aged 50 to 70 years based on the type of prosthetic valve used. Methods: We compared patients who underwent mechanical AVR to those who underwent bioprosthetic AVR at our institution between January 2000 and March 2019. Competing risk analysis and the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method based on propensity score were employed for comparisons. Results: A total of 1,580 patients (984 patients with mechanical AVR; 596 patients with bioprosthetic AVR) were enrolled. There was no significant difference in early mortality between the mechanical AVR and bioprosthetic AVR groups (0.9% vs. 1.7%, p=0.177). After IPTW adjustment, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the bioprosthetic AVR group than in the mechanical AVR group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.80; p=0.014). Competing risk analysis revealed lower risks of stroke (sub-distributional hazard ratio [sHR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28-0.67; p<0.001) and anticoagulation-related bleeding (sHR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23-0.53; p<0.001) in the bioprosthetic AVR group. Conversely, the risk of aortic valve (AV) reintervention was higher in the bioprosthetic AVR group (sHR, 6.14; 95% CI, 3.17-11.93; p<0.001). Conclusion: Among patients aged 50 to 70 years who underwent surgical AVR, those receiving mechanical valves showed better survival than those with bioprosthetic valves. The mechanical AVR group exhibited a higher risk of stroke and anticoagulation-related bleeding, while the bioprosthetic AVR group showed a higher risk of AV reintervention.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.328-334
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• 2004

There are only limited numbers of reports about long-term results of tricuspid valve replacement(TVR) with bioprosthetic and mechanical prostheses. We analyzed risk factors for tricuspid valve replacement and compared long-term clinical results of bioprosthetic and mechanical valves in tricuspid position. Material and Method: We reviewed 77 cases of TVR, which were performed between October 1978 and December 1996. Mean age was 38.8 15.9 years. Bioprostheses were implanted in 26 cases and mechanical prostheses were implanted in 51 cases. Result The operative mortality was 15.6% and late mortality was 12.3%. Survival for bioprosthetic and mechanical valve group at 5, 10 and 13 years was 81.3% vs. 100%, 66.1% vs. 100%, 60.6% vs. 100% (p=0.0175). Free from valve related re-operation for bioprosthetic and mechanical valve group at 5, 10 and 13 years was 100% vs. 93.9%, 100% vs. 93.9% and 58.3% vs. 93.9% (p=0.3274). Linealized incidences of valve related re-operation for bioprosthetic and mechanical valve group was 2.27 %/patient-years and 1.10 %/patient-years. Risk factor analysis showed that presence of preoperative ascites, hepatomegaly larger than 2 finger breaths, poor preoperative NYHA functional class and number of tricuspid valve replacement were risk factors for early mortality, and the use of bioprosthetic valve and number of open heart surgery were risk factors for late mortality. Conclusion: Long-term survival of mechanical valve was superior to bioprosthetic valve in tricuspid position. We recommend mechanical valve in tricuspid position if the patient can be closely followed up.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.446-450
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• 2016

Purpose: Generally, aspirin is used as a protective agent against thrombogenic phenomenon after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) using a bioprosthetic valve. However, the appropriate duration of aspirin use is unclear. We analyzed the impact of postoperative duration of aspirin use on the longevity of bioprosthetic pulmonary valves in patients who underwent repair for congenital heart diseases. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 137 patients who underwent PVR using a bioprosthetic valve between January 2000 and December 2003. Among these patients, 89 were included in our study and divided into groups I (${\leq}12$ months) and II (>12 months) according to duration of aspirin use. We analyzed echocardiographic data from 9 to 11 years after PVR. Pulmonary vale stenosis and regurgitation were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Results: The 89 patients consisted of 53 males and 36 females. Their mean age was $14.3{\pm}8.9$ years (range, 2.6-48 years) and body weight was $37.6{\pm}14.7kg$ (range, 14-72 kg). The postoperative duration of aspirin use was $7.3{\pm}2.9$ months in group I and $32.8{\pm}28.4$ months in group II. However, no significant difference in sex ratio, age, body weight, type of bioprosthetic valve, and number of early redo-PVRs. In the comparison of echocardiographic data about 10 years later, no significant difference in pulmonary valve function was found. The overall freedom rate from redo-PVR at 10 years showed no significant difference (P=0.498). Conclusion: Our results indicated no benefit from long-term aspirin medication (>6 months) in patients who underwent PVR with a bioprosthetic valve.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.667-676
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• 1993

Boprosthetic cardiac valves fail from biological and metabolic as well as mechanical reasons, and the limited durability is the main factor of marked withdrawal in their clinical use. Starting the use of bioprosthetic valves in 1976, up to the end of 1992, the consecutive 178 patients have undergone re-replacement of glutaraldehyde-treated xenograft valves for primary tissue failure [PTF]among the patients who had initial valve replacement at Seoul national University Hospital. The explanted valves were 69 porcine aortic [51 Hancock, 12 Angell-Shiley and 6 Carentier-Edwards] and 141 bovine pericardial [129 standard-profile and 12 low-profile ionescu-Shiley] valwes, with an overall incidence of PTF of 15.2%. The operative mortality rate of re-replacement was 5.1%. Calcific degeneration and tissue damage in relation to calcification were the most frequent modes of PTF on gross examinatin of the explanted valves resulting hemodynamically in valvular regurgitation. The number of Hancocg porcine and the standard-profile Ionescu-Shiley valves in valves in mitral position failed more often from tissue damage [tears, holes, and loss or destruction of cuspal tissue] than calcification [68.3% vs. 39.0%, p<0.01] with resultant regurgitation in 61%, the Ionescu-Shiley valves in the same position in 53%. The tendency of more calcification than tissue damage[71.3% vs. 33.3%, p<0.001]with stenosis in 53%. The tendency of more calcification and immobility of cusps in the latter group was partly explainable by the inclusion of patients of pediatric age. Observation made in this study suggest : many of bioprosthetic valves would fail from calcification and tissue damage : some fail prematurely because of mechanical stress probably owing to the valve design in construction ; andeven those valves escaped early damage would be subject to calcify in the prolonged follow-up period. In conclusion, at the present time, the clinical use of bioprostheticxenograft valves seems to be quite limited until further improvement in biocompatibility and refinement in valve design in manufacture are achieved.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1987

To clarify the difference between the outcome of warfarin anticoagulation and the antiplatelet [Aspirin, Dipyridamole] therapy after bioprosthetic heart valve replacement, we compared the following two groups. Group I [Warfarin group] consisted of 557 patients undergone lonescu - Shiley valve replacement between January, 1979 and December, 1985, and treated with scheduled warfarin therapy at Seoul National University Hospital. Group II [Antiplatelet group] consisted of 128 patients undergone lonescu - Shiley, Carpentier - Edwards or Wessex bioprosthetic valve replacement between March, 1983 and December, 1986, and treated primarily with antiplatelet therapy [Aspirin plus Dipyridamole] at SeJong General Hospital. The two groups were similar with respect to age, number of valves utilized per patient, type of operation and risk factors of thromboembolism. In group I, 522 patients excluding 35 hospital death [hospital mortality 6.3%], and in group II, 119 survivors excluding 9 hospital death [hospital mortality 7.0%] were followed. In group I, there were 13 fatal complications, of which seven were thromboembolic [0.6% / pt-yr] and six hemorrhagic [0.5%/pt-yr] during the period of four years. In group II, there were 3 fatal thromboembolic complications [2.3%/pt-yr] during the period of four years. This showed no statistically significant difference. Apart from fatal complications, there were lots of warfarin related minor complications in group I comparing with those of group II. The actuarial probability of the freedom from thromboembolism and of the freedom from fatal complications were very similar at each corresponding years postoperatively. As a result, warfarin anticoagulation in patients with bioprosthetic valve replacement did not reveal any significant advantages over antiplatelet therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.673-682
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• 1987

The principal feature of bioprosthetic valve which remains to be completely defined is long-term durability, especially, with regard to the impact of patient age. This report provides extended data regarding valve durability derived from a data base of 515 patients who received lonescu-Shiley bioprosthetic valve between 1978 and 1985; cumulative duration of follow-up was 1562.3 patient-years, with a maximum follow-up duration of 8.7 years. The results of this survey showed as follows: 1] The actuarial freedom from valve failure at 6 years were 43*7% for 0-19 year-old group, 70*1% for 20-39 year-old group and 75*1% for over 40 year-old group separately. 2] Of the causes of valve failure, only the primary tissue failure was markedly influenced by patient`s age [p<0.001], but the prosthetic valve endocarditis was not [p>0.1]. 3] The linealized incidences of primary tissue failure were 7.31% per patient-year in 0-19 year-old group and 0.12% in 20-39 year-old group. 4] The primary tissue failure rate in 0-19 year-old group was 6.36% during first 4 years, but then increased upto 10.95% at postoperative 5 year. Thus we find that in bioprosthetic valve the primary tissue failure is apt to occur when patient is young [especially less than 20 years old] and the postreplacement time passes [especially over 5 years]. The rate of bioprosthesis failure among children and adolescents is clearly higher than that observed in adult patients; however, conclusive quantification of time-related risk for young patient is not yet possible on the basis of existing data. Therefore, the advisability of bioprosthesis implantation in children remains to be determined.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.108-115
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• 1986

During 12 years period from 1974 to 1985, 76 valve replacement procedures were performed at Seoul National University Hospital in 67 pediatric patients aging up to 15 years [mean 12.3 years] and it was 7.3% of total valve replacement procedures in same period. Sixty seven patients were composed of 44 males and 23 females. Of the 67 patients, 43 patients had acquired valve lesions and 24 patients congenital valve lesions. Sixty cases received single valve replacement, 7 cases double or triple valve replacement and 9 cases redo-valve replacement. Sixty seven patients received 84 valves [65 bioprosthetic valves and 19 prosthetic valves by] 76 operations, Sixty three of 65 bioprosthetic valves had been replaced before 1983 and 15 of 19 prosthetic valves in recent 2 years. Eleven patients [14.6%] died within one month post-operatively and 8 patients [10.5%] during the follow-up period with the overall mortality rate of 25.1%. There were early post-operative complication of 23 cases [30.3%] and late post-operative complication of 27 cases [35.3%] with the total complication rate of 65.8%. In 58 patients received bioprosthetic valves, there were 14 cases of restenosis of replaced valves. Of the 14 cases of bioprosthetic valve restenosis, 8 cases received redo-valve replacement procedures without mortality in 1 5/12-5 years after initial operation but 4 cases died without reoperation and 2 cases lost during follow-up. The overall mortality and complication rate were still high but they markedly decreased during recent 2 years. So, in spite of its containing many problems, valve replacement in children is becoming safe and useful procedure in whom valve reconstructive procedures are impossible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

Background: Scarce data have been reported on the efficacy of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve replacement. Methods: From 2001 and 2014, 146 consecutive patients ($69.3{\pm}9.4years$, 84 females) who underwent bioprosthetic heart valve replacement concomitant with AF ablation were assessed. We evaluated long-term rhythm and valve-related outcomes. Results: During 49.1 months of follow-up (interquartile range, 22.5-96.8 months), 7 in-hospital and 49 (6.7% per person-year) post-discharge deaths occurred. The thromboembolic event-free survival rate at 5 years was $79.2%{\pm}3.5%$. The freedom from AF recurrence rate at 5 years was $59.8%{\pm}4.9%$. Multivariate analysis showed that old age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.11; p=0.002), previous cardiac operation (HR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.22-7.43; p=0.02), and a large left atrial (LA) dimension (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05; p=0.045) were significantly associated with AF recurrence. Conclusion: The overall long-term clinical outcomes in these predominantly elderly patients undergoing AF ablation concomitantly with bioprosthetic valve replacement were satisfactory; however, AF recurrence was frequent. Older age, a history of prior cardiac surgery, and large LA size were associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1090-1097
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• 1991

Between January 1981 and January 1991, 554 patients underwent prosthetic valve replacement. A bioprosthetic valve was replaced in 238 cases and mechanical valve 316 cases. Thirty-eight patients underwent 40 reoperations for repair or replacement, an average of 53.6 months after initial implantation. There were 21 women and 19 men, aged 12 to 60 years[mean 35.3]. A bioprosthetic valve was implanted in 31 cases and a mechanical valve in 9 cases for initial operation. Indications for reoperation were primary tissue failure in 23 cases[57.5%], endocarditis in 9[22.5%], periprosthetic leak in 4[10%]. and valve thrombosis in 4[10%]. Operations performed included 5 aortic valve replacements, 26 mitral valve replacement, 8 double valve replacements, and 1 thrombectomy. A mechanical valve was replaced in 33 cases[84.6%] and a bioprosthesis in 6[15.4Zo] for reoperation. A second reoperation was required in 2 patients. Surgical mortality was 10% . Among the 34 early survivors followed-up for an average of 19.8 months. there was 1 late death and 3 were lost to follow-up. Among the 30 late survivors being followed up, 28[93.3%] remained in New York Heart Association Class I or II and two in Class III [6.7%].