Long-term survival after triple-valve replacement.

A 29-year-old man with rheumatic stenosis and insufficiency of the aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves underwent urgent triple-valve replacement on January 12, 1966, because of uncontrollable congestive heart failure. Twenty-two years and 8 months later (September 13, 1988) reoperation was necessary to replace the Kay-Shiley tricuspid prosthesis because of progressive stenosis of the valve due to pannus formation. The aortic and mitral prostheses continue to function normally. The patient has again returned to full activity.