Abstract

Objective: The aim of this report is the prospective, multicentre evaluation of clinical results and haemodynamic performance of the Medtronic Advantage aortic valve prosthesis.

Methods: From April 2001 to June 2003, 166 patients (male:female 125:41; mean (SD) age 61.8 (11.8) years) received an aortic advantage valve prosthesis. Complete cumulative follow-up was 242.7 patient-years (maximum 3.2; mean 1.6 years). Postoperatively, patients underwent early (within 30 days) and 1 year transthoracic echocardiography.

Results: 30 day mortality was 2.4% (n = 4). Kaplan–Meier estimates of freedom from complications and linearised rates were as follows: 96.9 (1.6)% survival; 94.7 (1.3)% (2.06 patients/year) thrombo-embolism; 99.4 (0.6)% (0.4 patients/year) bleeding; 98.8 (0.9)% (0.8 patients/year) non-structural valve dysfunction; 98.8 (0.9)% (0.8 patients/year) reoperation. Valvular mean pressure gradients ranged from 16 (3) mm Hg for size 19 to 7 (2) mm Hg for size 27 and the corresponding effective orifice areas ranged from 1.2 (0.25) to 3.2 (0.66) cm². In all, left ventricular mass significantly decreased (p<0.001) and fractional shortening increased (p<0.001) from postoperative to 1 year echocardiography.

Conclusions: Haemodynamic performance and early clinical results of Medtronic advantage in the aortic position were satisfactory and comparable with those of other bileaflet valves in current clinical use.