Publication

Abstract : Objective: In children, mechanical mitral valve replacement may be the only option if the failing mitral valve cannot be repaired. Mandatory anticoagulation and the fixed size prosthesis are of concern in the growing child, but long-term follow-up results are lacking. Methods: Single centre, extended retrospective study of 54 patients who underwent first mitral valve replacement between June 1982 and December 1997. Median age at operation was 3.0 years (range 2 days-18.1 years), 21 patients were15 years (maximum 22 years) in nine patients. Results: Thirty-day mortality was 42% in patients