Comparison of long-term results of Carpentier-Edwards and Hancock bioprosthetic valves.

The long-term survival following valve replacement with Carpentier-Edwards or Hancock bioprostheses was compared between the two valve models and between the two groups totaling 407 patients who were discharged after valve replacement beginning in 1974. The two groups of patients were treated in a nonrandomized fashion. The actuarial survival for 299 patients with Carpentier-Edwards valves was 94 +/- 1.5% (+/- standard error) and 93 +/- 1.7% after 5 and 8 years of follow-up, respectively. Comparable figures for 108 patients undergoing valve replacement with Hancock valves were 89 +/- 3.0% and 83 +/- 3.7%, respectively (p = not significant [NS]). The probability of freedom from death and valve removal after 5 and 8 years of follow-up was 91 +/- 1.8% and 79 +/- 4.6%, respectively, with the Carpentier-Edwards valve and 84 +/- 3.5% and 75 +/- 4.3%, respectively, with the Hancock valve (p = NS). An accelerated rate of attrition for both valves was observed in the mitral position. There were no significant differences in actuarial survival between the two valves in the mitral or the aortic position or in the incidence of major valve-related complications.