Mitral valve bioprosthesis is safer than mechanical mitral prosthesis in
young women
Abstract
Background and aim: The ultimate goal of mitral valve surgery in young
women is to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life. Mitral
valve replacement (MVR) prosthesis in middle-aged women is a difficult
choice between the lifelong anticoagulation by mechanical prosthesis
versus the limited long-term durability of bioprosthesis. The current
trend towards reducing women’s age for selecting bioprosthesis over
mechanical prosthesis leads to a dilemma for younger women decision
making.1,2 The aim of this study was to compare the safety and freedom
from complications in pregnancy and survival rate after mitral valve
bioprosthesis versus mechanical prosthesis in young women for whom
mitral valve repair is not feasible or unsuitable. Methods: This
single-center non randomized prospective propensity-matched comparative
study included all female patients undergoing MVR at our center from
January 2010 to February 2020. Results: In total, 355 patients underwent
MVR at our center, of whom 174 received a bioprosthesis and 181 received
a mechanical prosthesis. The use of anticoagulation among young women
with mechanical prosthesis was associated with a remarkable risk of
postoperative bleeding, abortion, and increased frequency of
pregnancy-related complications (p < 0.0001). In contrast,
there was a considerable survival benefit for those who received
bioprosthesis (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Our data confirm that the use
of mitral bioprosthesis in young women who desire to become pregnant is
safe, reduces complications, and increases survival.