Longest follow-up of in situ working Bjork Shiley valve: 42-year follow-up

Abstract

The Bjork Shiley valve (BSV) is considered as the pioneer among modern disc valves, and eventually evolved into a reliable prosthesis after considerable research and multiple modifications. Various case reports have been published with follow-up of different types of BSV. We are reporting the longest follow-up ever published of a plano-convex type of BSV. Our patient's valve was implanted in 1973 due to a congenital bicuspid aortic valve with concomitant severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis, discovered at the age of 27. She presented with exertional dyspnoea, syncope and chest pain; however, her cardiovascular status remained stable and these symptoms abated after successful valve replacement at the age of 34. She is now 77 years old with no limitations in her activities and is able to walk a few miles most days of the week. Her echocardiograms throughout the decades have shown acceptable gradients across the aortic prosthesis without evidence of haemolysis. Our case report includes a summary of the patient with a discussion of the evidence that supports the durability of the original plano-convex BSV.