Welder identity, weld date, and the risk of outlet strut fracture in Bjork-Shiley convexo-concave valves: the Dutch cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether there is an association between subsequent fracture of the outlet strut and welder identity and the weld date of Björk-Shiley convexo-concave (BScc) valves. DESIGN: Cohort study. PATIENTS: All Dutch BScc valve recipients (n = 2266). MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: Documented outlet strut fracture during follow up. RESULTS: Weld dates were known for 97.0% of all BScc valves (n = 2534) implanted in Dutch patients (n = 2266) and welder identity was known for 52.2%. During a mean follow up of 9.4 years, 46 fractures were documented. For 60 degrees valves welded from 1981 to... Mehr ...