Triple Björk-Shiley valve--more than 30 years of asymptomatic functioning: to the memory of late academic prof. Isidor Papo and the 45th anniversary of the first valve implantation in Yugoslavia.

INTRODUCTION

The Björk-Shiley Delrin (BSD) tilting disc heart valve was first clinically used in 1969. A triple BSD valve replacement has not been quite common, because of high postoperative risk and complications, but there have been several cases with different postoperative course. The first implantation of artificial valve in Yugoslavia was done by Prof. Isidor Papo, in 1965.

CASE REPORT

We presented patient with more than 30 years of successful triple (aortic, mitral and tricuspid) BSD valve functioning. This is a rare case of a triple BSD valve long-term functioning and, as far as we know, the case of the longest period of successful functioning of the triple BSD valves. In March 1977, a 34-year-old female with severe congestive heart failure of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV was admitted to the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, for triple valve (aortic, mitral and tricuspid) surgery with BSD mechanical valves. Complicated surgery was done well. Sixteen months later the patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis caused by Enterobacter spp. that was isolated from blood cultures. The patient was successfully cured. After that the patient had no cardiovascular symptoms and regular physical and echocardiographic examinations used to reveal satisfactory cardiovascular function. The patient died more than 30 years after the surgery due to a terminal phase of uterine carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Although BSD valves were withdrawn from clinical use long time ago, there are still some rare cases of their successful functioning, mostly due to the precise surgical technique and regular follow-up by the cardiologists.