The durability (structural deterioration-free interval) after valve implantation with the first-generation Carpentier-Edwards porcine bioprosthesis has been investigated. From 1978 through 1984, 420 patients (175 male, 245 female) underwent valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards standard bioprosthesis. Mean age was 50.6 years (range, 13 to 77 years). Isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR) was performed in 198 patients (47.1%), aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 136 (32.4%), and double valve replacement (DVR) in 86 (20.5%). Hospital mortality was 32 patients (7.6%), 7.5% for MVR, 5.1% for AVR, and 11.6% for DVR. Mean follow-up was 10.8 years (range, 9 to 15 years) and is 96.2% completed. Reoperation for structural deterioration was required in 143 patients. Actuarial curve free from structural deterioration at 15 years is 33.0% +/- 6.5% for MVR, 62.0% +/- 5.1% for AVR, and 44.2% +/- 8.2% for DVR (p < 0.03). Durability of the CE bioprosthesis for MVR was 101.6 +/- 34.5 months, 92.9 +/- 26.4 for AVR, and 84.3 +/- 25.3 for DVR (p = not significant). The regression logistic analysis between age at the time of surgery and durability of the bioprosthesis showed no correlation for the MVR group, but with the following predictive formula for AVR and DVR groups of patients older than 30 years" durability = 46.05 + 0.818 x age, for AVR (r2 = 0.43); durability = 15.81 + 1.122 x age, for DVR (r2 = 0.52). In conclusion, we have found a significant difference in the behavior of the CE porcine bioprosthesis between the mitral and aortic position.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)