Further Evaluation of the Composite Seat Cloth-Covered Aortic Prosthesis

From August, 1968, to August, 1970, 121 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement and 48 had multiple valve replacement with the composite seat cloth-covered Model 2310 prosthesis. The operative mortality was 13% and 15%, respectively. In contrast to the experience with earlier style prostheses, none of the patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement with the composite seat valve have experienced any embolic complications in 1,976 patient-months of follow-up, despite the fact that a number of them were not taking anticoagulants. Hemodynamic performance has continued to be excellent. No tears have been noted in the orifice cloth of the composite seat valve, but reports of cloth wear on the valve struts have prompted continued research and evaluation in this area. Hemolysis has been shown to be slightly more brisk with the composite seat Model 2310 valve than with the Model 1200 prosthesis, but not to the point of being statistically significant. The striking improvement in performance with regard to embolic complications and potentially greater durability of the hollow metallic poppet versus silicone rubber prompts our continued use of the current generation of cloth-covered valves.