The aim of this study was to analyze the early and late results of the reoperation for valvar disease with the focus on the patient not on the prosthesis. A retrospective analysis of 697 patients (419 female, 278 male) was done between 1970 and 1990. The mean age was 43.4+17.9 years old. Pre-operative diagnosis were 281 (40.3%) prosthesis dysfunction, (2/2) 30.5% restenosis pos-comissurotomy, (103) 4,7% prosthesis rupture, 101 (14.5%) prosthesis thrombosis. Reoperations for valvopathy were 7.38% of the total surgical procedures in our Service, and in the last 2 years 26.7% of the total valvar surgery procedures. The hospital mortality was 9.89%, and the mean interval between the first and second procedure was 77+37 months. A third operation was carry on 110 patients with the mean interval of 81+28 and 10 had a fourth intervention. The late mortality was 16.6% and the mean follow up is 14 years with 18.7% lost of segment. Different from others studies where the prosthesis have been followed, our main goal was followthe patient's clinical evolution. The results shown that reoperations for valvopathy have increased in our Institution. The procedure can be done with an acceptable risk even though the long term results are not excellent the patients can have a reasonable survival and a chance of a new operation.
heart valves; heart valves; valvopathies