Late results after Starr-Edwards valve replacement in children

Selection of types of prosthetic heart valves for children remains controversial. The case histories of 50 children surviving valve replacement with Starr-Edwards prostheses between 1963 and 1978 were reviewed to evaluate the long-term performance of mechanical valves. The 31 boys and 19 girls ranged from 6 months to 18 years in age (mean 10.4 years); 19 patients had had aortic valve replacement, 24 patients had had mitral valve replacement, and...