IONESCU-SHILEY PERICARDIAL XENOGRAFTS - FOLLOW-UP OF UP TO 6 YEARS

The results of valve replacement with the Ionescu-Shiley pericardial xenograft compare favorably with results obtained with other bioprostheses. from March 1977 to July 1983, 497 Ionescu-Shiley pericardial valves were implanted in 463 patients at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute [Canada]. There were 292 patients who had aortic valve replacement (AVR), 140 with mitral valve replacement (MVR), 28 with double valve replacement and 3 with triple valve replacement. The survivors were followed regularly. Actuarial analysis of late results indicated an expected survival of 71% at 6 yr for patients who underwent AVR and 72% at 3 yr for patients who had MVR. The only valve-related deaths were due to endocarditis, which occurred at a rate of 3.9%/patient-yr for mitral valves. Despite a low usage of formal anticoagulation, embolic complications occurred at a rate of 1.4%/patient-yr for aortic valves and 4.0%/patient-yr for mitral valves. Five valves were removed for intrinsic failure after 36-72 mo. of follow-up. New York Heart Association Functional Class improved an average of 1.28 classes/patient.