Aortic Valve Replacement with Carpentier-Edwards: Hemodynamic Outcomes for the 19-mm Valve

Background To compare hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the 19-mm Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis versus larger valves. Methods Between January 1998 and December 2013, 447 consecutive patients underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (n = 61) or Magna bioprostheses (n = 386). Based on the implanted valve size, the patients were classified into three groups: a 19-mm group (n = 54), a 21-mm group (n = 154), and a 23-mm to 27-mm group (n = 239). The in vivo effective orifice area index was measured by transthoracic echocardiography 12 months after operation (n = 331). The mean follow-up time was 4.9 ± 3.5 (maximum 15.4) years. Results There were three early deaths (0.7%). At 10 years, overall survival (84.1%) was unaffected by patient-prosthesis mismatch (18.7%, 62 patients), and freedom from structural valve deterioration and endocarditis was 100% and 97.1%, respectively. Although the 19-mm group was significantly older and had a higher incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (n = 14, 30.4%), there were no significant differences in early outcomes, overall survival, cardiac-related mortality, or serial reduction of left ventricular mass index in comparison with patients with a larger bioprostheses. Independent risk factors for all-cause mortality were age, male gender, combined coronary artery bypass graft, and low hemoglobin level. Conclusion The Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis appears to be associated with acceptable clinical outcomes and hemodynamic profile.