Thromboembolism after Beall Valve replacement of the mitral valve.

A series of 76 isolated mitral valve replacements with the Beall valve is reported. A perioperative mortality of 3.5% (3 patients) and a late mortality of 6.8% (5 patients) was obtained. Thromboembolism occurred in 4 patients (5.2%). In a separate study, platelet survival times were determined in 17 patients with Beall valves by using chromium 51–labeled autologous platelets. Six patients had had thromboembolic (TE) episodes; the remaining 11 had not. The normal platelet survival time was > 3.3 days. Patients with TE had shortened platelet survival times (mean 2.8 $pM 0.11 days) which were significantly less (p < 0.01) than those of patients without TE (mean 3.4 $pM 0.13 days). The incidence of TE, which is associated with shortened platelet survival time, is low with Beall mitral valves. Prognostic and therapeutic considerations are discussed.