Long-term results of St. Jude Medical valve in the tricuspid position.

Little is known of the St. Jude Medical heart valve's long-term clinical performance in the tricuspid position. Fourteen patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement between 1981 and 1984. Ages of the patients ranged from 32 to 81 years. Eight patients (68%) were in New York Heart Association class IV preoperatively. Twelve patients had other concomitant cardiac operations. One patient (8%) died within 30 days after operation, due to cerebrovascular accident. Postoperatively, all patients were anticoagulated with warfarin sodium and showed improvement in functional class. There were no mechanical valve failures or thromboses in patients on the anticoagulation regimen. Follow-up in all patients extended over 7 to 10 years with a mean of 8 years. There were six late deaths unrelated to valve function. The actuarial survival curve with these patients is 50% over 10 years. In conclusion, the St. Jude Medical valve is a good mechanical substitute in the tricuspid position, and we recommend its use when reconstruction is not possible and there is no contraindication for anticoagulation.