Prosthetic Problems

Abstract

Since the first successful replacement of a mitral valve with a ball-valve prosthesis by Starr in September, 1960,¹ valve replacement has become routine therapy for certain types of valvular heart disease. A host of prostheses have been introduced and tested, with the result that most surgeons now prefer the ball valve for aortic replacement and the ball valve or low-profile disk valve for mitral replacement. The latter prosthesis has the distinct advantage of not intruding appreciably into the left ventricular cavity during systole, thus avoiding the hazard of endocardial erosion or left ventricular outflow obstruction occasionally encountered with the larger . . .