[Improvement of cardiac function by aortic valve replacement for chronic aortic regurgitation with carbomedics heart valve].

Cardiac function after aortic valve replacement for chronic aortic regurgitation with CarboMedics heart valve was evaluated repeatedly by echocardiography and some examinations in 27 cases. There was no late death and all patients belonged to NYHA I functional class postoperatively. Systolic and diastolic dimensions of left ventricle, left ventricular mass index, cardiothoracic ratio and SV1+RV5 on electrocardiography improved significantly within half a year and those improved results remained thereafter. Fractional shortening of left ventricle also improved gradually and the difference reached statistical significance one year later. This investigation revealed reduced systolic function or eccentric myocardial hypertrophy were often reversible. Average values of systolic diameter and fractional shortening late after operation were within normal range even in cases whose preoperative systolic function were severely depressed. Left ventricular mass index decreased markedly although postoperative values were still out of normal range in most cases. These results suggest that aortic valve replacement can be indicated even in cases of aortic regurgitation with severely impaired preoperative cardiac function.