[Long-term fate of mitral valve prostheses].

The long term fate of mitral valve replacements (over 2 years) has been studied by the collection of information from many French cardiology centres. The Starr valve with a plastic ball-valve is by far the most commonly used prosthesis. The late complications are dominated by thrombo-embolic sequelae. The functional result seems to be proportionally better the earlier the stage at which the operation is carried out.