Aortic Valve Replacement with the Mitroflow Pericardial Bioprosthesis: Single-Center Experience

Objective: Pericardial prostheses have been used as valvular substitutes since 1975, the aim of the study was to analyze our population, from 2002 to 2008, of Mitroflow pericardial valves (Sorin Group). Methods: Data from 131 patients with aortic valve replacement with bioprostheses between 2002 and 2008 were analyzed. Cumulative duration of follow-up was patient-years with a maximum duration of 4 years. The cause of the aortic valve lesions was stenosis in the majority of patients (78.6%). Concomitant procedures were performed in 58 patients, especially CABG (46 patients). Statistical analysis was performed to identify valverelated events and mortality and independent determinants of outcome. Results: Mean age was 76.6 8 7.7 years (male/female ratio 38/93). Hospital mortality was 7.6%. Late mortality was 9.1% but with only 4 deaths for cardiac causes (2.3%). The incidence of thromboembolic events was 3.8%. Even prosthetic valve endocar-ditis was 3.8%. Structural valve deterioration was 1.5%. For the characteristic of this valve, especially due to the wide opening of the leaflets, we prefer implant this valve in patient with a small LVOT (mean 19 8 0.15). Preoperative mean aortic gradient was 49.6 8 18.6 versus an early postoperative mean aortic gradient 17.7 8 5.6 and at long-term follow-up mean aortic gradient 22.3 8 15.4. Advanced age, renal insufficiency and pulmonary disease were implicated in perioperative and postoperative comorbility. Conclusions: After a mean follow-up of 2 years, the Mitroflow pericardial aortic valve seem to be a valuable choice in patients over 70 years old with a low rate of valve-related events and thromboembolic complications.