[HSF] (no subject)

[Hgrmd at aol.com]

Bob,
  First of all, I don't profess to be an expert in interpreting valve  
durability and performance data.  However, I can tell you that after at  least 17 
years of inserting pericardial aortic valves, the number of valves I've  
inserted that I've reoperated are probably no more than 2 or 3.  I fully  realize 
this is a very skewed, incomplete evaluation, but I would lay money that  15% of 
the valves I'm inserting aren't requiring reoperation at 7 years.  I  also 
understand that the numbers are exponentially worse at 10 years for  SPV.  I've 
heard from more than one source that Tirone is inundated with  SPV reops.  It's 
also my understanding that he doesn't implant them  anymore.  Can you confirm 
or deny?
Hal



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