Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mechanical and bioprosthetic valves on the left ventricular function and dimension in the early 6 months after aortic valve replacement.
Methods: The study group of 30 cases were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 had mechanical (St. Jude bileaflet, 15 cases), group 2 had bioprosthetic (Carpentier-Edwards pericardial, 15 cases) aortic valve replacement. Mean age of group I was 55.1 ± 14.3 and 10 (66.6%) were male. Six (40%) cases had aortic stenosis, 5 (33.3%) had aortic regurgitation, 4 (26.6%) had combined aortic stenosis and regurgitation. Preoperatively 13 (86,6%) cases were at NYHA class III-IV. Mean age of group II was 59.4 ± 9.1 and 9 (60%) were male. Five (33.3%) cases had aortic stenosis, 3 (20%) had aortic regurgitation, 7 (46.6%) had combined aortic stenosis and regurgitation. Preoperatively 12 (80%) cases were at NYHA class III-IV. Left ventricular function and left ventricular dimensions of all the cases were evaluated echocardiographically preoperatively and at the postoperative 6th months.
Results: Postoperatively, decrease in the left ventricular mass index, maximum valvar gradient, interventricular septum thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular systolic and end diastolic diameters and increase in the left ventricular ejection fractions were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in both of the groups. There were no statistically significant difference between group I and group II (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Aortic valve replacement effects positively on left ventricular function and dimensions but this effect does not depend on the kind (whether mechanical or bioprosthesis) of the valve that is used at the early follow-up period.

Keywords : Aortic valve replacement, left ventricular function, left ventricular mass