Background and aim of the study: This report reviews our experience with single aortic and mitral valve replacement using the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve in a population younger than those of other reports.

Methods: Between 1984 and 1993, 106 patients underwent single aortic or mitral valve replacement using a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve. There were 49 aortic and 57 mitral implants. The mean age was 56.7 +/- 14.3 years. The follow up was 100% complete; total follow up being 273.3 patient-years in the aortic (AVR) and 348.0 patient-years in the mitral valve replacement (MVR) group, with a mean of 5.6 and 6.1 years, respectively.

Results: The rates of thromboembolic complications for AVR and MVR were 0.37% and 0.58% per patient year respectively. There were no cases of non-structural dysfunction or anticoagulant-related hemorrhage. The incidences of prosthetic valve endocarditis for AVR and MVR were 0% and 0.86% per patient year respectively. Structural deterioration (calcification and sclerosis) occurred in one patient after AVR and in six patients after MVR, all younger than 60 years of age. Freedom from structural deterioration at five years and 10 years was 100% and 92.9% +/- 6.9% for AVR, and 100% and 76.9% +/- 8.6% for MVR.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the Carpentier-Edwards aortic valve has a low incidence of valve-related complications at 10 years. Although late results of this valve in the mitral position were excellent in the elderly, leaflet degeneration is still a problem in patients under the age of 60 years.

How to cite: Murakami, T., Eishi, K., Nakano, S., Kobayashi, J., Sasako, Y., Isobe, F., Kosakai, Y., Kito, Y., & Kawashima, Y. (1996). Aortic and mitral valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis: 10-year results. The Journal of heart valve disease, 5(1), 45–49.