[A new mitral valve prosthesis (Cooley-Cutter). Experiences on 241 cases of valvular replacement (author's transl)]

A new mitral valve prosthesis (Cooley-Cutter) is described, which incorporated a low profile design, an excentric sewing cuff, a full flow orifice, a controlled regurgitation for self-washing and symmetrical peripheral flow. The new prosthesis has a titanium double-caged frame, a Pyrolite carbon poppet and a Teflon knit sewing cuff. We have attempted to incorporate in the design of this new prosthesis tre most favorable features of each of many types of prosthesis used at the Texas Heart Institute since 1962. Isolated prosthetic mitral valve replacement for severe congenital or acquired valvular disease was performed in 541 patients from June 1971 to ne 1975. Of these, 66 patients received a concomitant aortocoronary bypass and 31 tricuspid annuloplasty. In 72 patients a malfunctioning mitral prosthesis of other types was replaced with the new Cooley-Cutter prosthesis. There were 49 early deaths (9.1%) and 33 late deaths (6.1%). The most gratifying results were a low incidence of late thrombo-embolic phenomena (1.8%) and absence of hemolisis, malfunction, infection and material failure of the prosthesis.