The Biomed caged-ball cardiac valve prosthesis. A study of 120 implants.

The purpose of this study was to report our experience with 120 prosthetic valves implanted in 105 patients over an 8-year period. Their preoperative status was compared at an average follow-up period of 4 years (range 1 to 6 years) with the postoperative results. We conclude that the Mexican-made valves (Biomed) meet the highest international quality standards: they are well tolerated by the patients; their performance is excellent and no postoperative dysfunction of the valves was ever detected. The few complications observed were no different from those reported for foreign ball-caged valves. Finally, most of our patients showed a marked improvement postoperatively.

[Valve replacement using an artificial ball prosthesis manufactured in Mexico]. / Reemplazo valvular con prótesis mecanica de bola de fabricación nacional.

This report documents our early experience with a cage ball valve manufactured in Mexico. Between May 1985 and March, 1986, 25 consecutive replacements have been performed in 23 patients, 14 underwent aortic valve replacement, 9 received a mitral valve, and 2 received both aortic and mitral valves. Their mean age was 32 years. Most of the patients had rheumatic heart disease. Their functional class prior to operation was as follows: six patients fell into class II, 15 into class III and 2 into class IV. One case died in the operative period. All patients have been followed for a mean period of 5 months. Late mortality has not occurred in any patient. Valve-related complications were not present. The post-operative NYHA functional class was as follows: seventeen (80%) fell into class I and five (20%) fell into class II. The actuarial survival rate 10 months after operation was 96.0%. Our study suggests that the cage ball valve has a good performance, the clinical results justify continuing investigation of this prosthesis.

[Cardiac tamponade due to pericardial metastasis (author's transl)]. / Taponamiento cardíaco por metastsis pericárdica.

A case of pericardial tamponade secondary to pericardial metastases of bronchogenic carcinoma in a young male is presented. The diagnostic studies are reviewed, specially the cytologic study of pericardial fluid. The fact that malignant tumors of the lung are the more frequent invaders to the heart is emphasized, with different clinical presentations regarding the involved site. The lymphatic pathways of the heart are reviewed, explaining the formation of hemorrhagic fluid inside the pericardial sac. Although this type of pathology is relatively rare as a cause of pericardial tamponade, this possibility should be kept in mind in order to make an early diagnosis.