Description of Mechanical Valves Use in Pediatric Patients: A Case Series and Literature Review

Valvular disease carries high morbidity and mortality rates in the pediatric population, and initial treatment should aim to repair the valve. However, there are cases where repair is not feasible, so valve replacement is considered. There are several options for aortic valve replacement including the Ross procedure, mechanical prostheses, and biological prostheses. For mitral valve replacement, options are limited to mechanical prostheses and a few emerging alternatives. This article describes 6 patients who underwent valve replacement; two had mitral valve replacement and four had aortic valve replacement. In all cases, mechanical prostheses were used, resulting in satisfactory outcomes during follow-up. Additionally, a literature review is presented, concluding that for aortic valve replacement, the Ross procedure has lower mortality rates than mechanical prostheses but higher reintervention rates. For mitral valve replacement, therapeutic options are limited, and mechanical prostheses continue to be an acceptable alternative.