Leukocyte function after aortic valve replacement

Leukocyte function was studied in patients with prosthetic heart valves by oxygen consumption measurements during phagocytosis of polystyrene latex particles. The consumption reflects the phagocytotic capacity of the cells. In 38 patients with Starr-Edwards aortic ball valves the mean oxygen consumption was 3.95 nanoatoms per minute per 10(6) leukocytes, as compared to 4.15 in 50 healthy subjects, the difference not being statistically significant. The number of leukocytes per ml. of blood and the distribution of cell types was quite similar in the two groups, although slightly more younger cells were found in the patients. It is concluded that the capacity for phagocytosis is not significantly reduced after aortic ball valve implantation.