[HSF] longevity of bioprostheses

[Tohru Asai]

Bob, Giulio

Thanks for replies. We have many octogenarians in Japan. How about practices
in your countries? Re-replacement of bioprosthesis degenerated structurally
is not becoming a problem yet? Or new generation of bioprostheses ( I meant
current bioprostheses ) are really good enough to outlive patients'
longevity?

I remember we were watching sick postop patients following re-replacement of
first generation Hancock and others when I was an intern 20 years ago. I am
aware that tissue preservation technique made a significant progress and
that we saw less structural degeneration in older patients. However the
magnitude of increase in number of bioprosthesis implantation is enormous.

Fortunate enough so far, I have not see any of my patients come back for
reoperation at all. But honestly I can not be sure the reality in my later
carrier. Giulio's answer may be one possibility for healthy late 80s.

Bob. You know the whole history of valve surgery. Where are we going?
-- 
Tohru Asai