ABSTRACT
Records of the first 100 patients surviving operation for total mitral valve replacement at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1962-1964) were reviewed to determine long-term results. After 20 years, 15 patients were still alive, but 13 had sustained a major cardiac event. Complications related to lack of anticoagulant therapy for patients with mechanical prostheses were frequent. No patient-related variable examined appeared to preclude 20-year survival.
- Received January 1985.
- Accepted March 1985.
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