In this trial of 310 patients aged 55-70, they were randomized to bioprosthetic or mechanical aortic valve replacement. There were no significant differences between the groups in peri-operative or long-term mortality, thromboembolism, bleeding, endocarditis, or major adverse prosthetic related events. The bioprosthetic group had higher rates of valve failure/re-operations (2.3% vs 0.6% per patient year), but the mechanical group had non-significantly higher rates of bleeding. The type of aortic valve choice depends on which risk is more tolerable: re-operation or bleeding (abstract)
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