Early Hemodynamic Results of the Shelhigh SuperStentless Aortic Bioprostheses

Long-term follow-up of the Shelhigh™ superstentless bioprosthesis aortic valve and valved conduit in a monocentric experience

BACKGROUND

The Shelhigh™ SuperStentless (Shelhigh, INC., Union, NJ, USA) is a stentless aortic valve bioprosthesis and aortic root valved conduit. In 2007, this device was recalled by FDA due to malfunction, and subsequently reintegrated by BioIntegral Surgical™ Few data are available over late durability of this device. We performed a long-term follow-up of Shelhigh™ devices implanted at our center.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2007, 44 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with a Shelhigh™ device (40 aortic valve bioprosthesis and 4 valved conduit). We performed a clinical and echocardiographic follow-up (9.2 years±4.3). Standardized definitions of valve-related events were adopted.

RESULTS

At discharge, maximum and mean aortic gradients averaged 36.1±11.3 and 21.0±6.8 mmHg, respectively. The 30-days mortality was 2.3%. Over the follow-up period, 29 patients died (65.9%); 2 deaths were valve related. Overall survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 97.7%, 85.8% and 54% respectively. At last echocardiography, average transvalvular gradients had remained globally stable in the population (33.6±12 and 20.4±10.5 mmHg). Eight (19%) structural valve deterioration (SVD) events were reported. Two (5%) non-structural valve dysfunction (NSVD) events occurred (periprosthetic leak). Two (5%) infectious endocarditis events and two (5%) valve thromboses were also deplored. Three (7%) patients required re-operation (2 due to SVD and 1 due to endocarditis).

CONCLUSIONS

The immediate hemodynamic performance of the Shelhigh™ aortic bioprostheses was unexpectedly suboptimal. Despite this, hemodynamic performance remained stable over time. Patients survival at follow-up was satisfactory, however, continued surveillance is necessary.

St. Jude Medical Trifecta aortic valve: results from a prospective regional multicentre registry

Background

The Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) is a stented pericardial heart valve with excellent preliminary results. Aim of the study was to evaluate its early clinical and hemodynamic performances in a multicenter regional registry.

Methods

Between January 2011 and June 2012, 178 consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta bioprosthesis were prospectively enrolled at 9 Italian centers. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collectedat discharge, 6-months and at 1-year postoperatively.

Results

The average age was 75.4 ± 7.7 years,and 95 (53 %) were men. Indication for valve replacement included stenosis in 123 patients (69 %), mixed lesions in 25 (14 %), and regurgitation in 30 (17 %). Ninety-three (52 %) patients were in NYHA functional class III/ IV. Hospital mortality accounted for 5 (2.8 %) patients. No valve-related perioperative complications were encountered. Median follow-up was 20.5 months (range: 1-34). Early (≤6 months) complications included one thromboembolic event, one major bleeding, and 3 endocarditis (2 explants). Two late (>6 months) thromboembolic events and two endocarditis (1 explant) were registered. No valve thrombosis or structural deterioration were observed after discharge. At 30-months, freedom from all-cause mortality was 87 %, freedom from valve-related mortality 99.4 %, freedom from endocarditis 97.5 %, and freedom from valve explants 98 %. At 1-year, mean gradients ranged from 8 to 16 mmHg, and effective orifice area indexes from 1.0 to 1.2 cm²/m² for valve sizes from 19 to27 mm, respectively. No patients had severe prosthesis-patient mismatch.

Conclusions

Trifecta bioprosthesis provided favourable clinical and hemodynamic results over time.