Decades-old artificial heart valves still going strong
Two video clips of two Starr-Edwards artificial valves can be seen in action in this week’s online issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The video was taken by doctors at the Montreal Heart Institute in Quebec during a cardiac catheterization procedure of a 67-year old woman. What is amazing is the fact that these valves, which are working properly and in tip top shape, were implanted 38 years ago [1].
In another case study, a 74-year old man had a double valve replacement with Smeloff-Cutter aortic and Starr-Edwards mitral prostheses 40 years ago. No additional surgery except a pacemaker implantation has been required during the last 4 decades. The latest ECG showed the valves to be intact [2].
Other follow-up studies indicate that the Starr-Edwards valve “represents a standard that still needs to be achieved by newer prostheses.” [3]
This is the lasting legacy of the retired engineer Lowell Edwards who, together with the surgeon Albert Starr, developed the valves almost 50 years ago. The first valve was successfully implanted in 1960. Edwards then founded Edwards Lifesciences, which today remains as one of the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices. According to Nature News,, over a quarter of a million people received Starr-Edwards artificial valves until last year when the company stopped their manufacturing in favour of newer models.
Lowell Edwards was awarded the American Medical Association’s Layman’s Citation for Distinguished Service in 1982, only the 6th person so far to receive the honor. The citation described the innovator as
“a man of honor and courage whose inventive genius brought about the development of the artificial heart valve and whose long devotion to human welfare in the science of medicine has given new life and hope to victims of heart disease throughout the world.”
References:
1. Piazza N, Gregoire J. Images in clinical medicines. Starr-Edwards heart valves. N Engl J Med. 2008 May 22;358(21):e24.
2. Gödje OL et al. Thirty-year results of Starr-Edwards prostheses in the aortic and mitral position. Ann Thorac Surg. 1997 Mar;63(3):613-9.
3. Suezawa T et al. Forty-year survival with Smeloff-Cutter and Starr-Edwards prostheses. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 Mar;85(3):e14-6.
One Comment
- Healism replied:
How Much Does Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Cost? I want to go to India to receive Heart Valve Replacement Surgery. I’ve heard both good and bad things about medical tourism. Any advice?
July 17th, 2008 at 4:29 am. Permalink.