RESUMO
1. The 224 patients have been followed-up for postoperative intervals of 1 to 8 years after operation, and the average duration of the follow-up has been 4 years. 2. Six types of heart valve prostheses have been utilized and evaluated with the longest (9 years) period of follow-up (a Starr-Edwards prothesis) and the shortest a Björk-Shiley valve. The best clinical hemodynamic characteristics, no thromboembolic complications were observed with the Lillehei-Kaster valve. Evaluation of longterm wear and thrombosis require further follow-up studies. 3. All patients, but 21, improved in functional capacity and are NYHA class I and II. Most of the patients had heart failure at the time of operation. These patients would have had a life expectancy of about two years from the onset of symptoms. Seventy two patients with heart failure as a prime symptom have thus outlived their anticipated life expectancy. 4. Systemic embolization was the most common postoperative complication in spite of the anticoagulant therapy.
