Red cell survival after aortic valve replacement with Björk-Shiley prosthesis in presence of sickle-cell trait

A case of aortic valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley disc prosthesis in a patient with sickle-cell trait is presented. Six months after operation red cell survival was not significantly reduced. On theoretical and clinical grounds it is concluded that the presence of sickle-cell trait does not contribute to late postoperative haemolysis after heart valve replacement.