[Clinical anatomical basis of the pathogenesis of fatal complications in the late periods after heart valve prosthesis].

On the basis of clinico-anatomical analysis of the causes of death in 35 patients following valve prosthetics for rheumatic valvular disease, it was established that cardiac failure was the most frequent cause. Cardiac failure was due to exacerbation of the carditis process on the one hand, and to disorders of the rhythm induced by dystrophy, sclerosis, fibroelastosis, and calcinosis in the cardiac septum on the other. Thromboembolic processes rate second in frequency among the lethal complications. Death from septic complications was rarely encountered, and from causal causes only in individual cases.