The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 28, 158-165, Copyright © 1979 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Clinical experience with the Lillehei-Kaster valve prosthesis
HH Zwart, G Hicks, B Schuster, M Nathan, F Tabrah, F Wenzke, T Ahmed and RA DeWall
The Lillehei-Kaster valve was used in 215 patients over a 7-year period.
The aortic valve was replaced in 81 of them. Hospital mortality was 21% (17
patients). Ten patients were lost to follow-up and long- term mortality was
5% (3 patients). The incidence of thromboembolism was 2.6 per 100
patient-years, and actuarial survival was 96% at 5 and 87% at 7 years.
Mitral valve replacement was performed in 108 patients. Hospital mortality
was 20% (22 patients), 24 patients were lost to follow-up, and long-term
mortality was 13% (11 patients). The combined incidence of thromboembolism
was 5.0 per 100 patient-years, and actuarial survival was 81% at 5 years
and 75% at 7 years. In both groups, the majority of patients improved
clinically. Fifteen patients had double-valve replacement, and 11 had
coronary revascularization in addition to valve replacement.