[HSF] (no subject)

[Hgrmd at aol.com]

Erdinc,
  Not really.  I've never followed my aortic valves  systematically (In 
contrast, I am following my IMR ETlogix cases).  All I  know is I did 64 AVR's last 
year.  I'll bet it will be 70-80 this  year.  Of that number, probably all 
but 15-20 were pericardial.  If  there were major problems with them falling 
apart at 7-10 years, I'm sure I  would be reoperating a fair number.  The last 
reop I can recall was at  least 2 years ago, and it was implanted 4 years 
earlier by another member of my  group.  I'm sure the vast majority of patients die 
of other causes before  the valve comes to replacement.  However, I have 
placed a number in  patients in their 60-70's over the past 15 years.  If those 
were falling  apart, I'm sure I would be seeing and reoperating a significant 
number.  So  far, it's not happening.
Hal



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