Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Demonstrates Long-Term Durability

Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC; Vancouver, Canada) conducted a study that evaluated 1,029 patients who received the Medtronic Mosaic porcine bioprostheses between 1994 and 2000, including 797 patients (mean age of 69 years) who had aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 232 patients (mean age of 67) who had mitral valve replacement (MVR). The predominant area of interest in the study was the durability of the prosthesis in the MVR position.

The results of the study revealed a freedom from structural valve deterioration of 93.3% of AVR patients 60 years and older, and in 95.3% of MVR patients 70 years and older. In addition, hemodynamic performance data showed stability up to 10 years, indicating durability of the bioprosthesis itself over time. The Mosaic bioprosthetic heart valve, a product of Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN, USA), is an artificial heart valve made of porcine tissue that is attached to a cloth-covered, flexible plastic stent, designed with advanced technology for tissue preservation and calcium mitigation. The study was published in the March 2011 issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

"These strong findings address and support the intermediate- to long-term durability of the Medtronic Mosaic bioprosthesis in the aortic and mitral position,” said lead author Professor Eric Jamieson, MD, of the UBC department of surgery. "Until now, there has been limited published documentation of the durability of this newer generation of bioprosthesis. I expect these results will be reviewed favorably by cardiothoracic surgeons, especially for patients 60 years of age and older requiring aortic valve replacement and patients 70 years of age and older who are candidates for mitral valve replacement.”

Related Links:
University of British Columbia
Medtronic