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The United Kingdom Heart Valve Registry
K M Taylor1, S A Gray, S Livingstone
1Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease
|November 1, 1992
Summary
The UK Heart Valve Registry tracked 30,000 patients from 1986-1990, noting increased aortic replacements and prosthetic valve use. Older patients (over 70) had significantly lower survival rates post-valve implant.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Medical Registries
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Established in 1986, the UK Heart Valve Registry aimed to create a national database for valve replacement surgeries.
- The project involved collaboration between the Department of Health and the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the initial five years of the UK Heart Valve Registry's experience (1986-1990).
- To analyze trends in valve replacement surgery and patient demographics within the UK Health Service.
Main Methods:
- Data collection from all UK Health Service cardiac surgical units.
- Computerized database management for approximately 30,000 patient records (1986-1990).
- Mortality data validation through the Office of Population Census and Surveys (OPCS).
Main Results:
- The number of valve replacement procedures remained stable around 5,000 annually.
- Aortic valve replacements increased, while mitral valve replacements decreased.
- Prosthetic valve utilization rose from 54% to over 70%; mean patient age increased.
- Over 22% of surgeries in 1990 were on patients >70 years old.
- Five-year survival was significantly lower for patients over 70 (p < 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Significant shifts in valve replacement patterns occurred between 1986-1990.
- An aging patient population undergoing valve replacement surgery presents a challenge.
- Advanced age is associated with poorer long-term survival following valve implantation.