Long-term follow-up of unusual ball-valve aortic substitute

On March 19, 1962, prior to the availability of Starr-Edwards ball-valve prostheses for aortic substitution, a mitral valve turned upside down was implanted for marked calcific aortic stenosis. It worked well and the patient was in good health for 15 years. Late annular calcification and loosening of sutures with marked perivalvular regurgitation made valve replacement necessary 16 years after operation. The original valve was perfectly preserved.