Short and Intermediate Term Results of the ATS Heart Valve Replacement

Lim, Chang Young; Moon, Seung Chul; Yang, Jin Young; Goo, Won Mo; Kim, Dae Sik; Lee, Gun Ho; Lee, Hun Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND: ATS mechanical valve is a recently introduced pyrolytic carbon bileaflet prosthesis. This report is to evaluate the results of hemodynamic and anticoagulant therapy after ATS valve replacement. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May 1995 to October 1998, 53 patients received 65 ATS prosthesis; 38 Mitral(27-33 mm), 27 Aortic(19-25 mm). 2 CABGs and 5 Tricuspid annuloplasty were taken concomitantly. The follow up period was 769 patient-months(mean 16.2+/-10.0), varied from 1 month to 39 months with 92.5% follow up rate. All patients were evaluated with Doppler echocardiography, 7-14 days after operation. RESULT: NYHA functional class was improved significantly, from 2.6+/-0.8 preoperatively to 1.3+/-0.4 postoperatively. The average value of peak and mean transvalvular pressure gradients were 25.7+/-13.5 mmHg, 12.7+/-8.3 mmHg in aortic position. In the mitral position, the average values of peak and mean transvalvular pressure gradient and valve area were 5.9+/-2.5 mmHg, 3.1+/-0.8 mmHg and 2.9+/-0.5 cm2, respectively. In the anticoagulant therapy, mean INR was 2.5+/-0.6 in mitral valve replacement and 1.9+/-0.5 in aortic valve replacement. There was no anticoagulant related complication. During that period, there were 3 hospital death(5.9%) and 1 late death(1.9%).
CONCLUSION
The early clinical results of the ATS heart valve replacement is quite satisfactory, and low target INR reginmen is safe. And long term follow of hemodynamic characteristics is also necessary.