Early experience with the Sorin bileaflet prosthetic valve.

Between 1.6.1991 and 31.5.1995, 62 patients underwent heart valve replacement with Sorin Bicarbon bileaflet prosthetic valve, age 16-83 years (mean 60.5). The valve disease was rheumatic in 37 cases, degenerative in 17, congenital in 4 and miscellaneous etiologies in the other 4. The valve lesion was AS in 24 patients, AR in 5, AR+MS in 2, MS in 13, MR+MS in 6, MR in 6, tricuspid prosthetic stenosis in 1, A+M disease in 3, and a clotted prosthetic valve (Sorin disc) in 1. CAD was present in 14 patients (23%) and AF in 19 (31%). 11 had moderate pulmonary hypertension and 4 severe. Preoperatively 6 patients were in FC II, 40 in FC III and 16 in FC IV. Operative procedures included AVR 18, AVR+CABG 13, AVR+T annuloplasty 1, AVR and open M valvotomy 1, MVR 7, MVR+T annuloplasty 7, MVR+AVR (Medtronic) 1, MVR+AVR 1, TVR, prosthetic valve replacement 1, and MVR+CABG 1. Hospital mortality was 3 (4.8%) -- one due to ruptured A-V groove and two due to LoCO. Postoperative complications: LoCO necessitating IABP -- 3 patient; 3 transient CVA and 1 CVA with hemiplegia. One patient had aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis 18 months following the operation necessitating reoperation. Other cases were treated for positive blood cultures. One patient had CVA after anticoagulant were discontinued. 28 patients are in FC I, 22 in H, 4 in III and 1 in IV. 4 patients are lost to follow-up. These data suggest that the Sorin Bicarbon Prosthetic valve can be safely and effectively used for heart valve replacement.