Reoperation for bioprosthetic valve dysfunction. A decade of clinical experience.

During the 1970s, initial clinical experience with bioprostheses determined their worldwide use. However, bioprosthetic reoperation (BPR) is now common, particularly in groups with extensive implantation of these valve substitutes. From January 1980 to December 1989, a total of 470 patients had a total of 618 reoperations for bioprosthetic dysfunction and were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty-seven patients required a second BPR, 21 a third BPR, 5 a fourth BPR and 1 patient a fifth BPR. Structural deterioration was the main cause of valve dysfunction for the first and second BPR. However, paravalvular leak and infective endocarditis were more frequent for the remaining additional reoperations. Hospital mortality was 12.6%, 14.9% and 37% after the first, second and third or subsequent BPR, respectively. Univariate statistical analysis shows as hospital mortality risk factors: age at the time of the surgery, preoperative NYHA functional class IV, emergency surgery, concomitant tricuspid surgery, double (mitro-aortic) valve dysfunction, active infective endocarditis as the cause of failure and prolonged aortic cross-clamping time. Hospital mortality declined from 19.8% to 11.8% for the first and second half decade, respectively (P less than 0.005). In conclusion, bioprosthetic valve reoperation entailed a higher hospital mortality, particularly in the risk group of patients. In our hands, surgical experience has determined the improvement of the clinical results in this group of patients.