MECHANICAL HEART-VALVE PROSTHESES - SOUND LEVEL AND RELATED COMPLAINTS

RRP LAURENS, HP WIT, T EBELS

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In a randomised study, we investigated the sound production of mechanical heart valve prostheses and the complaints related to this sound. The CarboMedics, Bjork-Shiley monostrut and StJude Medical prostheses were compared. A-weighted levels of the pulse-like sound produced by the prosthesis were measured in 25 patients after aortic valve replacement. Additionally, 141 patients, 117 after aortic valve replacement, 20 after mitral valve replacement and 4 after double valve replacement were interviewed. The average sound pulse pressure levels were 46.0 +/- 2.9 dB(A) in the Carbomedics group, 55.4 +/- 1.2 dB(A) in the Bjork-Shiley monostrut group and 44.1 +/- 4.4 dB(A) in the StJude Medical group, measured at a distance of 1 cm from the chest. The Bjork-Shiley monostrut was louder than the other two prostheses (p <0.0005). Twenty (14.2%) of all patients had complaints related to the valve sound such as sleeping disturbances, irritation, nervousness or fear. Significantly more patients with a Bjork-Shiley monostrut could hear their valve or had complaints when compared to the other two prostheses. Younger patients and patients with a mitral valve prosthesis could hear their valve more often than older patients or patients after aortic valve replacement. We conclude that sound characteristics and related complaints differ considerably among heart valve prostheses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)57-61
Number of pages5
JournalEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY
Volume6
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb-1992

Keywords

  • MECHANICAL HEART VALVE PROSTHESIS
  • VALVE SOUND
  • COMPLAINTS
  • SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL

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