The use of the Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve in children under 10 years of age.

Five children under 10 years of age were operated on with a Björk-Shiley disc valve. The mitral valve was replaced in four patients and the tricuspid valve in one. No hospital death, late death or thromboembolic episode was observed during the 155 patient-months of the follow-up. Moreover, a marked reduction in cardiomegaly was demonstrated to parallel the clinical improvement and low risk seen in adults. We feel that our experience might justify a more aggressive approach in the management of valvular disease in children of the younger age group.