Porcine valve durability: A comparison between Hancock standard and Hancock II bioprostheses

Two series of patients who received a Hancock standard (HS) (1970 to 1983) and a Hancock II (HID (1983 to 1992) porcine bioprosthesis were reviewed to compare bioprosthetic durability. Patients with HS porcine bioprostheses (n = 769) differed from those with HII bioprostheses mostly in mean age at operation (47 ± 12 versus 62 ± 9 years; p p = 0.08). A trend to an improved durability of the HII bioprosthesis compared with the HS was observed during the first 8 postoperative years. Because these results could be influenced partly by the age difference in the two series of patients, a longer follow-up is needed to confirm these data.