Mitral valve replacement in infancy: a case report

A 1.7 cm. Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve was successfully inserted into the mitral annulus in a 7-month-old infant weighing 4.5 kilograms. Rapidly progressive pulmonary arteriolar hypertension and heart failure required surgical intervention. Postoperative problems are discussed. This patient's rapid clinical improvement after the operation further indicates that valve replacement is an important therapeutic alternative in carefully selected infants.