[Valve prosthesis in the surgical treatment of acquired heart defects]

The authors describe their experience with cardiac valve prostheses in 2446 patients with acquired heart diseases and hospital mortality of 21.7%. The surgical methods and the tactics in concomitant diseases are described. The methods of plastic operations on the tricuspid valve are presented. Late results of prostheses of the cardiac valve were studied in 1594 patients. Good late results were recorded in 65.9% of cases, satisfactory in 17.1%, unsatisfactory in 4.3%. The late mortality was 12.7%. Analysis of the late complications is given and the ways for increasing the efficacy of cardiac valve prostheses are suggested.