Late clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement with Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valves.

Background: The present study aimed to compare the long-term clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of aortic valve replacement using Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (Perimount) or Perimount Magna (Magna) valves.

Methods: We enrolled 430 patients who underwent aortic valve replacements with Perimount (n=58) or Magna (n=372) valves [1998-2013]. Multivariable and inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) analyses were performed.

Results: Before IPTW analysis, the overall 8-year survival rate differed significantly between the groups [Perimount 90%±4% Magna 76%±4%; P=0.02; hazard ratio (HR): 0.37 for the Perimount group; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.83]. Multivariable analysis of the overall survival identified Perimount valve use as a protective factor (P=0.009; HR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14-0.75). Independent risk factors of overall survival were older age, male sex, higher preoperative left ventricular mass index, lower ejection fraction, lower aortic valve pressure gradient, and lower haemoglobin. After applying IPTW, overall survival was again found to be significantly longer in the Perimount group (P=0.04; HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20-0.93). Event-free survival was also better in the Perimount group (P=0.006; HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.19-0.75). However, the Magna group had significantly lower aortic valve pressure gradients at one year and five years postoperative.

Conclusions: Although Magna use led to decreased aortic valve pressure gradients at follow-up, overall and event-free survival rates were significantly better with use of the Perimount valve. Additional and larger studies are needed to confirm these results.