[Heart valve replacement]

From 1965 to 1980, the authors accumulated vast experience by operating on 2500 diseased heart valves. Some of these patients had one, two, or three valves replaced. Among the two/three patients, there was a monovalvular problem in III, and more than half the patients with multivalvular problems in IV functional group NYHA. In group II there were only one/three patients with stenosis of the aortic valve. Because of the advanced stage of the disease among the group II patients, the following conditions were often present: heart insufficiency, manifest lung hypertension, cardiomegaly, and pronounced arrhythmia with damage to the kidneys. The risk in such cases is significantly greater. In total, 2941 valves were built. 74% had a normal postoperative recovery, 9,2% died; and 14,2% suffered complications that were remedied. Among the complications were insufficiency of the heart, arrhythmia, hemorrhage, transitory cerebral damage, and tracheobronchial infections. Thus, it can be seen that valve replacement as a treatment for significant hemodynamic disturbances is an effective method of surgical treatment. Improved results, reduction of complications, and few fatalities signal the advancement in such treatment.