Hemodynamic performance of the Shelhigh SuperStentless® heart valve in more than 280 Consecutive Patients

P.M. Dohmen1, S. Dushe1, J. Liu1, J. Linneweber1, J.P. Braun2, W. Konertz1

1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 2 Department of Anesthesiology, Charité Hospital, Medical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Background : The present study was performed to investigate hemodynamic behaviour of the Shelhigh SuperStentless^â aortic valve.

Methods : Since February 2001, 283 patients received a Shelhigh SuperStentless bioprosthesis. The mean age at implant was 73.7 ± 8.4 years. Concomitant procedures were performed in 184 pts (65.9%), CABG in 113 pts (39.9%) and MVR 59 pts (20.8%). Patients were followed for complications and hemodynamics. Echocardiography was performed at discharge, 1 year and thereafter yearly.

Results : Operative mortality was 6.4%. The mean valve size was 24.2 ± 2.2 mm. The effectiveness of the device was demonstrated by mean gradients ( 16.6 ± 6.8 mm Hg for size 21, 14.0 ± 6.0 mm Hg for size 23, 13.5 ± 6.0 mm Hg for size 25, 11.7 ± 4.8 mm Hg for size 27, 10.9 ± 4.0 mm Hg for size 29) at discharge. The mean pressure gradient at discharge was 13.6 ± 6.0 mm Hg, at 1 year 14.3 ± 4.9 mm Hg and at 4 years 11.1 ± 3.8 mm Hg. Freedom from structural deterioration was 99.6 % at 4 years.

Conclusions : Early results showed favorable hemodynamic performance of the Shelhigh SuperStentless^â heart valve.