[Valve replacement using an artificial ball prosthesis manufactured in Mexico]

This report documents our early experience with a cage ball valve manufactured in Mexico. Between May 1985 and March, 1986, 25 consecutive replacements have been performed in 23 patients, 14 underwent aortic valve replacement, 9 received a mitral valve, and 2 received both aortic and mitral valves. Their mean age was 32 years. Most of the patients had rheumatic heart disease. Their functional class prior to operation was as follows: six patients fell into class II, 15 into class III and 2 into class IV. One case died in the operative period. All patients have been followed for a mean period of 5 months. Late mortality has not occurred in any patient. Valve-related complications were not present. The post-operative NYHA functional class was as follows: seventeen (80%) fell into class I and five (20%) fell into class II. The actuarial survival rate 10 months after operation was 96.0%. Our study suggests that the cage ball valve has a good performance, the clinical results justify continuing investigation of this prosthesis.