Clinical comparison of mitral valve replacement using porcine, Starr, and Bjork valves

The choice of a cardiac prosthesis for mitral valve replacement remains controversial, and thromboembolic complications are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with mechanical valves. Because of this, permanent anticoagulation with its risks and constraints on daily life is necessary. Bioprostheses, however, are associated with a lower rate of thromboembolic events. Therefore, the need for long-term anticoagulation is minimized. These advantages are counterbalanced by the limited durability of tissue valves. In an effort to give some perspective to this balance, we compared the long-term results of three commonly used mitral valve prostheses. Three hundred patients operated on in the same institution January 1974 to December 1978 form the basis of this evaluation.