Mid-term outcomes after aortic valve replacement with the 17-mm St. Jude Medical Regent valve

When aortic valve replacement (AVR) is performed in patients with a small aortic annulus, prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is of concern. We investigated the mid-term outcomes of AVR with a 17-mm mechanical prosthesis.

Seventy-eight patients with aortic stenosis underwent AVR with a 17-mm St. Jude Medical Regent prosthesis. Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, at discharge, and at follow-up (mean follow-up, 33 months). Patients were divided into 2 groups: with and without PPM at discharge. Between-group differences in postoperative variables, particularly survival, were analyzed. Overall hospital mortality was 2.6%. Actuarial 1- and 5-year survival rates were 95% and 79%, respectively. Diabetes and renal insufficiency were associated with long-term mortality. Freedom from major adverse valve-related cardiac events at 1 year and 5 years was 97.3% and 93.9%, respectively. Diabetes was shown to be an independent risk factor for major adverse valve-related cardiac events. Echocardiography 13 months after AVR showed a significant increase in mean effective orifice area index, decrease in mean left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient, and decrease in mean left ventricular mass index. PPM at discharge did not influence long-term survival or left ventricular mass regression.

The 17-mm Regent prosthesis provided satisfactory clinical and hemodynamic results. It is a reliable choice for patients with a small aortic annulus.