Medtronic Freestyle® (Medtronic)
This valve has excellent hemodynamics and is, in fact, a biological valved conduit that is used for aortic root replacement. Recent studies on long-term explants show a cellular reaction to the aortic tissues, suggesting a low-grade cellular rejection-like phenomenon.
An eight-year study reports 100% freedom from structural valve deterioration and an overall survival rate of 83%.[34] Matsue et al.[35] reported that a small group of patients who had 21 mm valves implanted using the subcoronary technique expressed a suboptimal flow pattern, and therefore recommend extra attention when dealing with such a situation. A recent study by Butany et al.[36] on a series of explanted Freestyle® bioprostheses reports that inflammatory cells appear to play a significant role in prosthesis failure.
Geriatrics and Aging. 2006;9(10):691-696. © 2006 1453987 Ontario, Ltd.
Cite this: Prosthetic Heart Valves, Part I: Identification and Potential Complications - Medscape - Jan 11, 2006.
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