Favorable evolution of a 43-year-old Starr-Edwards valve in the tricuspid position

Abstract

The durability of a Starr-Edwards valve implanted in the tricuspid position in 1967 to treat Ebstein's disease with tricuspid valve regurgitation. At surgery, cardiac permanent pacing for postoperative complete atrioventricular block was achieved using a nuclear-powered pacemaker (NP). Although the 43rd year of cardiologic follow up was free from complications, the patient--a 74-year-old woman--suffered symptomatic mitral regurgitation and underwent a redo mitral valve replacement, during which the Starr-Edwards valve and NP were left in place.