Comparative evaluation of mitral valve repair and replacement with Starr, Björk, and porcine valve prostheses.

Four hundred consecutive patients with isolated mitral valve disease who were operated on between 1974 and 1977 underwent long-term evaluation. In this group there were 100 valve repairs, 100 porcine valves, 100 Starr valves, and 100 Björk valves. There were no significant differences in the preoperative clinical conditions of the patients in the four groups. Cumulative follow-up was 2058 patient-years. We concluded from the data that mitral valve repair was associated with fewer valve-related complications than valve replacement. Thromboembolism was the most significant parameter with respect to determining long-term results of the use of the porcine, Starr, and Björk valve prostheses.