Rest and exercise Doppler hemodynamics of the medtronic intact aortic bioprosthesis

Background and aims of the study: Exercise treadmill testing was used to ev aluate the functional rest and stress hemodynamic profile of the Medtronic Intact aortic bioprosthesis. Methods: A group of 93 patients (mean age at operation 72.9 years; range: 6 1-79 years) was studied. Mean time to follow up was 20.8 months. The preope rative diagnosis was aortic stenosis (AS; n = 66), aortic regurgitation (AR ; n = 19) or AS/AR (n = 8). Left ventricular function was assessed as norma l (n = 78), moderate (n = 14) or poor (n = 1). Patients received a range of valve sizes: 21 mm (n = 7); 23 mm (n = 41); 25 mm (n = 32); 27 mm (n = 7); and 29 mm (n = 6). Results: For all valve sizes, Doppler-derived hemodynamics at rest and peak exercise, respectively were: mean aortic valve gradient (AVG) 13.2 +/- 5.2 mmHg and 22.2 +/- 8.9 mmHg; peak aortic valve gradient (AVG) 24.3 +/- 9.6 mmHg and 39.1 +/- 13.5 mmHg; effective orifice area (EOA) 1.39 +/- 0.49 cm( 2) and 1.38 +/- 0.5 cm(2); and effective orifice area index (EOAI) 0.76 +/- 0.26 cm(2)/m(2) and 0.75 +/- 0.26 cm(2)/m(2). Mean and peak AVG decreased as valve sizes increased, while both EOA and EOAI increased as valve sizes increased. Conclusions: The Medtronic Intact aortic bioprosthesis provides good hemody namics both at rest and exercise, across the range of implanted valve sizes .