Transient systolic hypertension after aortic valve replacement.

Transient systolic hypertension, particularly during the 6 hours after operation, was found to be a significant complication in a series of33 consecutive cases ofaortic valve replacement. This rise in systolic blood pressure occurred in spite of treatment and was more common in cases ofpredominant aortic stenosis. It was not found after mitral valve replacement and there was no difference be; tween the mitral and aortic groups 3 weeks after operation. We believe that the hypertension is due to an increase in peripheral vascular resistance in the postoperative period in patients with a powerful left ventricle.