Porcine bioprostheses in the elderly: clinical performance by age groups and valve positions.

Porcine bioprostheses have been recommended and used for cardiac valve replacement in the elderly. A review of 1,984 patients with 2,042 operations, performed between 1975 and 1992, has afforded a detailed evaluation of clinical performance by valve positions and age groups within the elderly population. The numbers of operations performed by age groups were 65 to 69 years, 719; 70 to 74 years, 745; 75 to 79 years, 431; 80 to 84 years, 119; and 85 years or older, 28. The early mortality rate overall was 9.5% (195 patients), range 6.9% to 17.8% by age groups (p < 0.05), and 11.9% with concomitant procedures and 7.6% without (p < 0.05). The total cumulative follow-up was 10,060 patient-years (mean, 4.9 years). The late mortality rate was 7.0%/patient-year (for age groups, 5.8% to 13.4%/patient-year) (p = not significant). The patient survival at 15 years ranged from 25% +/- 4% for 65 to 69 years to 9% +/- 5% for 75 to 79 years (p < 0.05). The freedom from valve-related complications and composites at 10 years revealed differences (p < 0.05) by age groups only for structural valve deterioration: 85% +/- 2% for 65 to 69 years versus 98% +/- 2% for 80 to 84 years. The overall freedom from structural valve deterioration at 10 years for aortic valve replacement was 98% +/- 1%; for mitral valve replacement, 79% +/- 3%; and for multiple replacement, 86% +/- 7% (p < 0.05, aortic valve replacement > mitral valve replacement).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)