Mechanical aortic valve replacement in non-elderly adults: meta-analysis and microsimulation.

Aims: To support decision-making regarding prosthetic valve selection in non-elderly adults, we aim to provide a detailed overview of outcome after contemporary mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods And Results: A systematic review was conducted for papers reporting clinical outcome after AVR with bileaflet mechanical valves with a mean patient age ≥18 and ≤55 years, published between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2015. Through meta-analysis outcomes were pooled and entered into a microsimulation model to calculate (event-free) life expectancy and lifetime event risk.

Does the Use of a Decision Aid Improve Decision Making in Prosthetic Heart Valve Selection? A Multicenter Randomized Trial.

Background: A Dutch online patient decision aid to support prosthetic heart valve selection was recently developed. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess whether use of the patient decision aid results in optimization of shared decision making in prosthetic heart valve selection.

Methods And Results: In a 5-center randomized controlled trial, patients were allocated to receive either standard preoperative care (control group) or additional access to the patient decision aid (intervention group).

Quality of life and prosthetic aortic valve selection in non-elderly adult patients.

Objectives: This study assesses quality of life in relation to prosthetic aortic valve selection and preferences for shared decision-making among non-elderly adult patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: A single-centre consecutive cohort of 497 AVR patients who underwent AVR between the age of 18 and 60 years was cross-sectionally surveyed 1-10 years after AVR. Health-related quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36), valve-specific quality of life, patient experience with and preferences for involvement and final decision in prosthetic valve selection were investigated.

Bentall Procedure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The Bentall procedure is considered the gold standard in the treatment of patients requiring aortic root replacement. An up-to-date overview of outcomes after the Bentall procedure is lacking.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of characteristics of and long-term outcome after the Bentall procedure with a mechanical valve prosthesis.

Prosthetic aortic valve selection: current patient experience, preferences and knowledge.

Objective: Current clinical practice guidelines advocate shared decision-making (SDM) in prosthetic valve selection. This study assesses among adult patients accepted for aortic valve replacement (AVR): (1) experience with current clinical decision-making regarding prosthetic valve selection, (2) preferences for SDM and risk presentation and (3) prosthetic valve knowledge and numeracy.

Methods: In a prospective multicentre cohort study, AVR patients were surveyed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.