Serial Ejection Times in Patients Requiring Multiple Aortic Valve Replacements

Abstract Serial ejection times were recorded in 8 patients with aortic prostheses who developed complications requiring a second aortic valve replacement. In the 6 who required the second valve for hemodynamic reasons (severe perivalvular leak, prosthesis obstruction) the left ventricular ejection time became prolonged after initially returning toward normal. In 2 patients who required the second valve replacement for late infection without hemodynamic impairment, the ejection time remained within the normal range. Serial recording of left ventricular ejection time after aortic valve replacement appears to be a valuable means of detecting those patients who develop hemodynamically significant prosthesis malfunction.