Background and aim of the study: The performance of bioprostheses (BP) and mechanical prostheses (MP) from valve-related composites of complications and combined major thromboembolism and hemorrhage were considered in order to facilitate decision-making for the patient age group of 61-70 years.
Methods: The aortic valve replacement (AVR) population (BP, n = 619; MP, n = 303) was differentiated by age, concomitant coronary artery bypass, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and preoperative renal failure. The mitral valve replacement (MVR) population (BP, n = 353; MP, n = 312) was differentiated by valve type, age, concomitant coronary artery bypass, ejection fraction, NYHA and preoperative renal failure.
Results: Actual freedom from reoperation for AVR was 92.1 ± 1.5% for BP and 98.7 ± 6.6% for MP, and for MVR was 74.5 ± 2.6% for BP and 93.8 ± 2.2% (12 years) for MP. Actual freedom from major thromboembolism and hemorrhage for AVR was 85.1 ± 1.7% for BP and 76.9 ±

3.6% for MP, and for MVR was 82.7 ± 2.4% for BP and 76.7 ± 3.8% (12 years) for MP. Linearized rates were undifferentiated for major thromboembolism. The hemorrhage rate for AVR-BP was 0.55%/pt-yr and for AVR-MP was 2.3%/pt-yr (p <0.0001); for MVR-BP, the rate was 0.69%/pt-yr and for MVR-MP was 1.85%/pt-yr (p = 0.0011). The only predictor of AVR reoperation was age, and predictors for MVR reoperation were prosthesis type and follow up NYHA class. Predictors of AVR major thromboembolism and hemorrhage were prosthesis type, age, diabetes mellitus and COPD. There were no predictors of MVR major thromboembolism and hemorrhage.
Conclusion: For the age group of 61-70 years, MP are recommended for MVR to protect from BP reoperation, whilst for AVR BP are recommended to protect from anticoagulant hemorrhage. Freedom from reoperation for AVR was undifferentiated for BP and MP at 12-15 years.
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease 2005;14:501-511