Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of three models of prosthetic valves in the aortic position

Abstract

Characteristics of three models of normally functioning prosthetic valves in the aortic position were compared using Doppler echocardiographic technique. Maximal aortic velocity (V max ) was recorded in 68 patients in whom Carpentier-Edwards (n=29), Hancock (n=25), and St. Jude (n=14) prosthetic valves had been implanted in the aortic position. Mean V max values were 2.55±0.55 m/s for Carpentier-Edwards, 2.49±0.74 m/s for Hancock and 2.74±0.31 m/s for St. Jude