Acute hemodynamic alterations after mitral valve replacement with the glutaraldehyde-treated porcine heterograft prosthesis.

Perioperative hemodynamic changes following mitral valve replacement using the porcine heterograft prosthesis were measured in 21 patients with acquired mitral valve disease. Preoperatively, a state of compensatory cardiac failure was suggested by the following: an increased heart rate (HR) (96 beats per minute); low cardiac and stroke volume (SVI) indices (2.3 +/- 0.10 L/min/m2 and 25 +/- 2 ml/beat/m2); and increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (1,626 +/- 116 DYNE SEC CM-5). Bothe the mean pulmonary artery PAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCWP) were elevated as well (32 +/- 3 and 22 +/- 2 torr). Immediate hemodynamic improvement followed valve replacement. HR, SVR, PAP, and PCWP all decreased significantly. Twenty-four hours after valve replacement, PAP (23 +/- 1 torr) and PCWP (13 +/- 1 torr) demonstrated marked declines, SVR was reduced by one-third (1,173 +/- 87 dyne sec cm-5), HR had decreased by 10 beats per minute, and SVI had increased to 30 +/- 2 ml/beat/m2. The prompt circulatory improvement of patients soon after mitral valve replacement using the porcine heterograft compares favorably with studies in which other valve types were employed and in which postoperative cardiovascular depression was encountered frequently.