Records of 71 consecutive patients who had received multiple valve replacement were reviewed (34 male, 37 female, mean age 40.5*11.2 <14-63>). The early death rate was 2.8% (2/71). A completed follow-up rate of 95.7% was accomplished in these 69
patients who left hospital (mean 42.5*29.5 patients-years). Five of these patients died. The late death rate was 7.2%. Four patients experienced anticoagulant-related hemorrhage (all were minor). One patient had a thromboembolic episode
(permanent), and
2 had late prosthetic valve endocarditis.
There was no clinical evidence of hemolysis and structural failure of valves used. Of those patients who survived, NYHA functional class improved significantly (from 87.2% class Ⅲ & Ⅳ before to 95.8% class Ⅰ& Ⅱafter0. Linearized rates for
thromboembolism and anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, and for prosthetic valve endocarditis were 0.67%/100 patient-years, 2.95%/100 patient-years, 1.34%/100 patient-years, respectively. The actuarial estimates of incidence free of all
complications
and
valve-related deaths were 92.2%/patient-years.
Despites the advanced heart disease involving two or more native valves, the patients who had multiple valve replacement had very good results, over a 9-year period.
(Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;28:346-54)
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