Objectives We aimed to assess present study a single surgeon’s (MYO) experience with the CardiaMed mechanical prosthesis for Aortic (AVR) and/or mitral (MVR) valve replacement relative to the corresponding prior experience with the St. Jude Medical (SJM) mechanical valve. Methods A total of 80 consecutive patients undergoing valve replacement surgery using the CardiaMed prosthesis by a single surgeon at two Lebanon hospitals (50 and 30 cases; Oct/2010-Dec/2013) were retrospectively reviewed. Age [median 57 (22-27) years], sex [56% women], and operation category [14 reoperations; 47 AVR; 26 MVR and 7 AVR/MVR] matched SJM mechanical prostheses controls from the preceding 5-year period were obtained from the same experienced surgeon’s cases at same hospitals. Operative outcomes were compared. Results Comorbidity among CardiaMed prosthesis patients included 30% Diabetes (n=24); 63% hypertension (n=50) and 7.5 renal failure (n=6). Surgeries during same operation included: 9 CABG, 15/2 tricuspid/mitral valvuloplasty, 1/1 atrial/ventricular septal defect repairs. A total of 2 operative mortalities (2.5%) were observed- both MVR patients. Median (range) postoperative length-of-stay (POLOS) were 5(3-15), 6(1-17) and 7(5-10) days for AVR, MVR and AVR/MVR, respectively. 2 late mortalities were documented at 2 (inadequate INR/prosthesis thrombosis) an 14 (sepsis/renal failure) months. Matched SJM patients showed similar operative mortality (n=1;1.25%; p=1.0) and comparable POLOS data. Conclusion In experienced hands, equivalent excellent AVR/MVR outcomes may be achieved with both the CardiaMed and SJM mechanical prostheses. Late echocardiagraphic and mortality comparisons are needed.

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