One-year experience with the Edwards stentless "Prima" aortic bioprosthesis.

The aortic stentless bioprothesis are expected to have an improved hemodynamic function because of their lack of a sewing ring and stents. From April 1993 to March 1994 we implanted aortic Edwards "Prima" stentless bioprotheses in 21 patients suffering from aortic valve disease. In some patients additional cardiac procedures (CABG, MVR, tricuspid valve anuloplasty) were performed. The patients' age ranged from 56 to 78 years. The size of the bioprothesis ranged from 23 mm to 29 mm in diameter. We used either the subcoronary or the "mini-root" continuous suture technique. Aortic cross-clamp time ranged from 52 min to 128 min. There was no operative mortality. The intraoperative measurements showed that the pressure gradient across the aortic valve was very low or even undetectable. The echocardiographic control after 1 year revealed very good valve function. Our initial experience with this new valve shows a very good short-term result with an only slightly longer cross-clamp time. Since the valve has not been available for a long line, long-term results could not yet be observed.