BACKGROUND: Deciding which prosthetic aortic valve to choose is difficult in adolescents who

The impact of continuous beta-blocker (BB) therapy on structural valve deterioration (SVD) after bioprosthetic mitral replacement was investigated. From 2000 to 2005, 138 such patients were propensity score matched in a 1:1 fashion (continuous BB therapy after surgery, n = 69; without BB therapy, n = 69). Median follow-up was 12.3 years. Cardiac mortality was comparable between patients with and without BB therapy (p = 0.13), while the 10-year freedom from SVD was significantly higher in patients with BB therapy (92.4 vs. 76.3%, p = 0.001). In conclusion, continuous BB therapy may be considered in patients after bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement to delay SVD and improve prosthetic durability.

Bioprosthetic TVR can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality in severe tricuspid endocarditis due to infected endocardial pacemaker leads.