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Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Valve choice for aortic valve replacement in patients between 50 and 70 years of age
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (Narayana Health), Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Background And Aim:
There is a lack of clarity on whether to choose a mechanical or a bioprosthetic valve for aortic valve replacement in patients between the age of 50 and 70.
Methods:
In this review, the existing evidence on the subject has been evaluated.
Results:
Decision-making in this age group is heavily dependent on patient choice and patient-related factors. Mechanical valves in this age group are associated with an increased risk of bleeding while reoperations remain an important concern with bioprosthetic valves. Stroke rates have been reported to be largely similar in both valve types.
Conclusion:
There appears to be conflicting data on survival with some studies suggesting a survival benefit with mechanical valves.
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