Inidications for multivalve prostheses
Jouve, A.; Houel, J.; Malmejac, C.l.; Baille, Y.; Metras, D.; Escojido, H.; Rapuzzi, A.; Jouven, J.C.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 69(2): 195-199
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 823909 Document Number: 110008
The authors consider that the indications for surgery should take into account three unknowns: the natural history of the valvulopathies, our incomplete state of knowledge about the outcome in operated cases, and surgical progress, which may transform the whole subject in a short time. They emphasize the seriousness of the disorders in which mitral incompetence is associated with aortic stenosis and/or incompetence; such cases justify earlier surgery. By contrast, some cases of aortic incompetence, when associated with a predominant mitral valve lesion, may not constitute an indication for valve replacement. Tricuspid annuloplasty is a noteworthy advance which provides a simple answer to some of the problems.