Clinical use of a new mitral disc valve.

A disc valve of new design was used successfully for the replacement of the mitral valve in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease. This valve would appear to have the following advantages over the mitral ball valve prosthesis:* Lower left atrial pressure after replacement.* Elimination of the hazard of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with mitral valve replacement.* Decreased incidence of thromboembolization.* Abolition of possibility of ventricular septal irritation. Despite the better outlook for this valve compared with the ball valve for mitral valve substitution, the mitral valve should always be repaired whenever feasible. Repair is possible in the majority of patients.