Hi Yankeeman2. This figure is not supported by several studies which I have read. Also, such a figure, without taking into account the age of the patient or comorbidities, is meaningless. A lot of patients who received mechanical valves in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s were over 70. For such patients the number living more than 17 years after their procedure will be low and skew the statistics, giving the appearance that there is a low life-expectancy after SAVR.
