Long-term follow-up studies after homograft replacement of the mitral valve.

Follow-up studies on 132 patients who have received fresh aortic homograft replacement of the mitral valve since May 1967 indicate good long-term function of the valve. Clinically the majority of patients are greatly improved and are free from the risks of long-term anticoagulant therapy. Hemodynamic studies performed on 13 patients at 25 to 41 months postoperatively showed a significant decrease in left atrial and pulmonary artery pressures with a small increase in cardiac output. Late deterioration of the homograft produced severe insufficiency in four cases and organic stenosis in two cases. Reasons for isolated deterioration are suggested.