[Replacement of cardiac valves with Björk-Shiley and Cooley-Cutter prostheses: a comparative study (author's transl)]

Björk-Shiley and Cooley-Cutter prostheses are the most satisfactory cardiac valves in our experience. They were compared in regard to incidence of emboli and mortality by long-term follow up. Among the 1904 patients who had received a Bjök-Shiley valve between 1969 and 1975 late follow-up could be obtained in 1565 patients. Among the 1329 patients with a Cooley-Cutter valve implanted between 1971 and 1975, late follow-up was obtained in 779. In the mitral valve replacement series, Cooley-Cutter / Björk-Shiley early mortality was 9.9/12.8 (%), late mortality 6.8/12.8 (%), early emboli 5.4/8.1 (%), late emboli 3.7/5.1 (%). In the aortic valve replacement series, Cooley-Cutter/Björk Shiley early mortality was 6.6/8.4 (%), late mortality 2.9/5.1 (%), early emboli 2.7/3.3 (%), late emboli 1.1/2.7 (%). Both early and late mortality and emboli were more favorable in the Cooley-Cutter sample as compared to the Björk-Shiley group. Therefore the Cooley-Cutter prostheses are preferred in both the aortic and mitral positions.