Head SJ, Ko J, Singh R, Roberts WC, Mack MJ. 43.3-year durability of a Smeloff-Cutter ball-caged mitral valve.
Ann Thorac Surg 2011;
91:606-8. [PMID:
21256329 DOI:
10.1016/j.athoracsur.2010.06.124]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Extended durability of mechanical heart valves has been documented for many years. We describe a case of a ball-caged mechanical valve implanted 43.3 years previous to developing valve dysfunction. The patient presented with both prosthetic valve stenosis and insufficiency. This Smeloff-Cutter valve (Cutter Laboratories, Berkeley, CA) in the mitral position was dysfunctional due to lipid absorption, which resulted in ball variance and concomitant pannus growth prevented optimal seating of the ball in its cage. This is the longest length of time in which a Smeloff-Cutter mechanical valve has been originally implanted.
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