[Experiences with biological aortic valve at Ullevål hospital]

Biological valves have been used at Ullevål Hospital since 1993 in patients over the age of 70, and in younger patients when anticoagulation is contraindicated. We have used two different types of biological valves; Medtronic Freestyle, a non-stented valve made from pigs aortic root; and Carpentier-Edwards, made from calf pericardium. This valve is mounted in a metallic frame (stent), covered by dacron. Both valves are fixed in glutaraldehyde to diminish tissue antigenicity. 91 patients were operated with biological valves during the period 1993 till January 1998; 56 patients received the Carpentier-Edwards and 35 Freestyle. Postoperative complications have been few and time in the intensive care unit and total hospital stay is satisfactory despite the high age of this group of patients. The overall 30 days postoperative mortality was 4.4%. In conclusion, aortic stenosis and insufficiency can be operated with low mortality and short postoperative or intensive care stay. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients.