Highlights the potential for structural deterioration (disc erosion) in first-generation Björk-Shiley valves decades after implantation.
Patients with first-generation Björk-Shiley valves may require lifelong surveillance for late disc erosion; this single case extends reports of structural failure at 39 years but leaves practice change open.
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: The implanted first-generation Björk-Shiley valve in our patient was functioning well before aortic surgery, but we replaced the valve because we confirmed disc erosion 39 years after implantation during the surgery. We judged that the implanted valve was no longer capable of maintaining the patient's life.
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Komi et al. (2014) studied this question.
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