Comparison of mechanical and biological prostheses when used to replace heart valves in children and adolescents with rheumatic fever

Abstract

Patients with mechanical prostheses had lower mortality and required fewer reoperations, but when all combined endpoints were considered, the groups did not differ. The biological prosthesis proved to be a good option for cardiac surgery in children and adolescents with difficulties or risks of anticoagulation.

Improved Long-Term Survival for Rheumatic Mitral Valve Repair Compared to Replacement in the Young

“…Others have also noted a relative high mortality and morbidity associated with BVR in children. 25,30,31 This experience indicates that bioprosthetic MV replacement in children should be avoided.…”

Gal knockout pig pericardium: New source of material for heart valve bioprostheses

“…[2][3][4][5][6] However, long-term results were marred by valve degeneration, particularly in young patients with higher immunologic competence. [7][8][9] Fixation of BHVs by glutaraldehyde (Glut) decreases immunologic reactions and reduces tissue degeneration.…”

Follow-up of rheumatic carditis treated with steroids

“…Other authors reported even better results of mitral valve repair – Pomerantzeff et al 25 described that 70% of patients were free of re-operation after 17 years and Gilinov et al 26 showed excellent follow-up in 93% of patients after 10 years. Travancas et al 27 compared valve replacement between mechanical and biological prostheses in patients under 18 years of age and found that with the mechanical type the mortality and re-operation rates were lower.…”