[A long-term evaluation of a Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis--eighteen year follow-up]

We evaluated the long-term (18 years) results in 356 patients undergoing valve replacement with Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis (aortic, 212; mitral 120; double valve, 24) between 1970 and 1988. Actuarial survival rates of AVR and MVR were 90% (18 years) and 98% (8 years) respectively. Actuarial event free rates (including valve failure, thromboembolism, reoperation and prosthetic valve endocarditis) were 82% (18 years) for AVR and 95% (8 years) for MVR. There were no significant differences among spherical disc, convexo-concave disc and monostrut valve in actuarial survival rates and actuarial event free rates. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Björk-Shiley valve showed a low incidence of postoperative events. These results endorse our choice of the Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis.