The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 25, 167-177, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Reconstructive valve surgery
PN West and CS Weldon
Despite continued refinement of heart valve prostheses, valve replacement
carries risks of thromboembolic, mechanical, and infectious complications,
and long-term success is further limited by the eventual wear of prosthetic
parts. In many patients with congenital or acquired valve diseases, valve
function may be improved, if not restored, by reconstructive techniques,
prosthetic replacement being thereby avoided or delayed. This review
examines the current status of reconstructive procedures for management of
diseased valves, with emphasis on long- term results and post-operative
hemodynamic studies. In many instances the choice between reconstruction
and replacement of a diseased valve remains controversial. The documented
success of selectively applied reconstructive techniques, however, weighs
against expedient decisions for prosthetic replacement and supports a
continuing search for new techniques.
