Long-term survival after isolated replacement of mitral valve with ball-valve prosthesis.

In 111 patients whose diseases mitral valve was replaced with a ball-valve prosthesis the actuarial survival rate, including the hospital mortality of 10.8%, was 66% after 5 years and 59% after 8 years of follow-up. This suggests that in patients with moderate or severe symptoms due to mitral valve disease, replacing the valve can prolong life. However, in patients with no cardiac symptoms or with sinus rhythm and mild symptoms, it is doubtful that mitral valve replacement can prolong life, for the prognosis in these patients is favourable without operation.