[The Lillehei-Kaster valve prosthesis hemodynamic and mechanic features in vivo (author's transl)]

29 patients with Lillehei-Kaster vale prostheses, 22 in aortic position and 7 in mitral position, were examined. With small aortic valves (A 14 - A 16) mean gradients averaged 32 mm Hg, valve area varied between 1 and 1.2 cm2. Only size A 20 and larger showed satisfying gradient and valve areas of 1.9 cm2 and greater. The mitral gradients averaged between 10 and 5 mm Hg according to size and valve areas were about 1.6 cm2. The maximal measured opening angle of the pivoting disk averaged 64degrees in the aortic valves and 61degrees in the mitral valves; complete opening (80degrees) was not observed.