Early Structural Valve Deterioration of Mitroflow Aortic Bioprosthesis: Mode, Incidence and Impact on Outcome in a Large Cohort of Patients

Letter by Pfeiffer et al Regarding Article, "Early Structural Valve Deterioration of Mitroflow Aortic Bioprosthesis: Mode, Incidence, and Impact on Outcome in a Large Cohort of Patients".

BACKGROUND Structural valve deterioration (SVD) is a major flaw of bioprostheses. Early SVD has been suspected in the last models of Mitroflow bioprosthesis. We sought to assess the incidence, mode, and impact of SVD on outcome in a large series of Mitroflow aortic valve replacement. METHODS AND RESULTS Six hundred seventeen consecutive patients (aged 76.1±6.3 years) underwent aortic valve re...

Early Structural Valve Deterioration of Mitroflow Aortic Bioprosthesis

Early Structural Valve Deterioration of the Mitroflow Aortic Bioprosthesis: Will the New Anticalcification Treatment Change Anything?

T here has been a trend toward more frequent use of biopros-thetic valves, especially in the young generations, over the last decade. 1 Freedom from warfa-rin use and restrictions on diet and activities make bioprosthetic valves more attractive and popular, and multiple reports have shown that choosing a bioprosthetic valve does not decrease survival despite the increased rate of reoperation. T...

Structural deterioration of the Freestyle aortic valve: mode of presentation and mechanisms.

BACKGROUND Structural valve deterioration is the major cause of bioprosthetic valve failure. Because of the unique design features and anti-calcification treatment of the Freestyle (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) stentless bioprosthesis, development of structural valve deterioration may differ in comparison with other bioprosthetic valves. This study evaluates the mechanisms and clinical pre...

Is distortion of the bioprosthesis ring a risk factor for early calcification ?

BACKGROUND As the population ages, bioprosthesis are increasingly being used in cardiac valve replacement. Pericardial bioprosthesis combine an excellent hemodynamic performance with low thrombogenicity, but valve failure associated with calcification remains a concern with these valves. We describe distortion of the bioprosthesis ring as a risk factor for early calcification. METHODS A total...