[Late results of mitral valve prosthesis]

The late results of mitral valve prosthetics were studied in 100 patients one to six years after surgery. Survival which was estimated by the actuarial method was 79.4% (15 patients died 2 to 34 months after the operation). The data obtained confirm the effectiveness of mitral valve prosthetics by means of the Soviet made MKch--25 and MKch--27 protheses. The operation ensures normalization of hemodynamics. Thromboembolic complications and bacterial endocarditis still present a serious problem. Patients with an implanted mitral valve prosthesis should be kept under dispensary surveillance.