Tricuspid valve prosthetic replacement. Early and late results with the Starr-Edwards prosthesis.

The total experience (154 patients) with ball-valve (Starr-Edwards) replacement of the tricuspid valve, alone and in combination, through Dec. 31, 1971, at the Mayo Clinic is reviewed. The early mortality rate with isolated tricuspid replacement was twice that for tricuspid replacement combined with replacement of other valves. Among patients receiving three valves, those with "functional'' tricuspid insufficiency and those who were in New York Heart Association (N.Y.H.A.) Class IV preoperatively had a higher early mortality rate. The early mortality rate for the total group was 28%. Of those surviving tricuspid plus mitral valve replacement, 70% were alive at 3 years; at latest follow-up, 94% of those surviving were functionally improved. Of those surviving triple valve replacement, 56% were alive at 3 years; at latest follow-up, 93% of those surviving were functionally improved. Previous cardiac surgery with residual tricuspid valve dysfunction and severe disability, as judged by N.Y.H.A. class, influenced the outcome adversely. The experience reported here provides a standard against which never prostheses can be compared.