Tissue Heart Valve Replacement at BSMMU- Initial Experience with Two Cases

Abstract

Research on prosthesis to replace diseased heart valves began almost simultaneously with mechanical valves which are
durable but with inherent thromboembolic complication requiring life-long anticoagulant therapy and tissue valves which
are more prone to structural failure but free from thromboembolic complication. Tissue valves are more useful in females of
reproductive age desiring a child, male patients older than 60 years of age and female patients over 55 years of age, patients
having chronic liver disease, history of stroke, bleeding disorder and in presence of infective endocarditis. Gluteraldehyde
fixation at low pressure with removal of maximal amount of phospholipid have increased the durability of tissue valves in
recent years. Considering the better quality of life with tissue valve the trend is shifting towards using it more frequently
around the world. Recently two heart valve replacement operations using bovine perimount pericardial valve were done in
the department of cardiac surgery, BSMMU, one in aortic position another in mitral position, both in females of reproductive
age desiring children.The operations were technically demanding but the outcomes were uneventful. Tissue heart valve
replacement is a safe procedure and can be useful in female of child bearing age desiring children.

Key Words: Tissue heart valve replacement; Aortic valve; Mitral valve; Bioprosthetic heart valves; Bovine perimount
pericardial valve.

DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v3i1.5511

BSMMU J 2010; 3(1): 27-30