Summary
The Omniscience prosthetic heart valve has been clinically evaluated in 44 patients
operated on between January and July, 1981. There were 23 aortic valve replacements
(AVR), 18 mitral valve replacements (MVR) and 3 double valve replacements (DVR). Mean
age was 48 ± 11 years. Preoperatively, 61 % patients were in New York Heart Association
(NYHA) functional class IV, 36% in class III and 2% in class II. The hospital mortality
rate was 4.5%. Actuarial freedom from thromboembolic events was 97.4+ 2.6% (3 œ years
of follow-up). Postoperatively, 93% of the patients were in NYHA class I and 7% in
class II. There were 7 cases of periprosthetic leak requiring reoperation (6 AVR,
1 MVR) for an overall ineidence of 6.3% per patient year. In all these cases the causative
factor was considered to be the Dacron sewing ring. All patients survived the reoperation.
The actuarial survival rate was 93.9 + 5.9% for AVR and 93.7 ±6.1% for MVR. These
data would suggest that the Omniscience prosthesis represents an acceptable device
for heart valve replacement, except for the high ineidence of periprosthetic leakage,
related to the Dacron sewing ring. Recent modification of the valve-construction including
a Teflon sewing ring may avoid the relatively high rates of periprosthetic leakage
following implantation of this mechanical valve.
Key words
Omniscience heart valve - Dacron ring - Perivalvular leakage
