Ten-year follow-up in aortic valve replacement using the Björk-Shiley prosthesis

An in-depth statistical analysis of early and late results of aortic valve replacement using the Björk-Shiley tilting-disc prosthesis is presented. Our experience with this prosthesis indicates that replacement carries a low surgical risk, a low incidence of complications (embolization, infection, or hemorrhage due to long-term use of anticoagulants), and good long-term survival. Coexisting coronary artery disease increases surgical mortality significantly, and simultaneous, complete revascularization is essential. Patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement did significantly better than those requiring other simultaneous procedures or those who had had previous operations. Earlier operation is imperative since progress of aortic valve disease is unpredictable by duration of symptoms, and patients in New York Heart Association Functional Class II have a low surgical risk and a greatly increased survival. It would appear from this study that additional criteria, such as increasing ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy determined by echocardiographic studies and gated nuclear studies showing deterioration of ejection fraction on exercise, should be used to help determine time of surgical intervention rather than symptomatology alone.