Eight year experience with the Bjork-Shiley prosthesis in 833 patients

Between December 1970 and June 1978, 833 patients were operatedupon for isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR: 361 patients),isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR: 345 patients) and aorticplus mitral valve replacement (DVR: 127 patients) by use ofthe Björk-Shiley valve. Operative mortality for the entireseries was 15%. The five year survival rate, including operativemortality, calculated by the actuarial method was 81.4% forMVR, 73.1% for AVR and 66.8% for DVR. The five year survivalrate of operative survivors was 94.9% for MVR, 85% for AVR and83.2% for DVR. The five year complication-free survival rate(death/removal/embolus-free survival rate) including operativemortality was 69.7% for MVR, 71.8% for AVR and 62.8% for DVR.The postoperative hemodynamic result was evaluated in 58 consecutivepatients with AVR and DVR. End-diastolic volume fell after operationfrom 161 to 104 ml/m² in AVR and from 156 to 103 ml/m² in DVR.Ejection fraction increased from 54 to 65% in AVR and from 50to 61% in DVR. We conclude: (1) actuarial analysis of prosthesis related deathand complications suggests that the Björk-Shiley valveis an excellent choice when using a mechanical device; (2) asignificant improvement of left ventricular function resultsafter Björk-Shiley valve implantation.