Silzone^TM-coated St. Jude Medical Valve: A Safe Valve
Remi Houël MD, Mathias Kirsch MD, M.L. Hillion MD, Daniel Y. Loisance MD

Follow up studies in patients receiving a Silzone^TM-coated St. Jude Medical valve (67 aortic valves, 36 mitral valves, nine double valves) did not support the fear of a high risk of perivalvular leak and embolism rate. Freedom from perivalvular risk at 12 and 24 months follow up was 98.5 ± 1.5% and 100% for aortic and mitral valves, respectively. Freedom from any thromboembolic event was 96.6 ± 2.4% at 12 and 24 months follow up in the aortic group, and 97 ± 3% at 12 and 24 months in the mitral group. The risk of bleeding (92.2 ± 3.8% at 12 and 24 months in the aortic group; 85.5 ± 6.0% in the mitral group) illustrated the risk of mechanical valve implantation in an elderly population.