The unique open pivot design of the ATS mechanical heart valve represents an evolutionary improvement in mechanical valve prosthesis by addressing the long recognized weakness regarding shear stress, turbulence, and stasis through typical cavity pivots as a key potential source of thrombogenesis.

This hypothesis is being borne out in the growing body of ATS clinical experience with remarkably low rates of thromboembolic complications.  Nowhere is this more evident than in our clinical experience with low-dose anticoagulation.  The ATS Low Dose Anticoagulation experience has consistently shown excellent results as recapped and referenced in the following clinical studies.

Replacement Results of the ATS Open Pivot® Aortic and Mitral at Lower INR’s

•  Lower-Intensity Anticoagulation for Mechanical Heart Valves: A New Concept with the ATS Bileaflet Aortic Valve    - Van Nooten et al.  [Summary]
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease.  2003; 12:495-503.  Link to PubMed-PMID 12918853  

•  Five-Year Follow Up of the ATS Medical Mechanical Heart Valve - Emery et al. [Summary]
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease.  2004; 13:231-238. Link to PubMed-PMID 15086262

•  10-Year experience With the ATS Mechanical Valve in the Mitral Position - Stefanidis et al. [Summary]
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.  2005; 79:1934-8. Link to PubMed-PMID 15919287

•  Mid-Term Results of Valve Replacement with the ATS Valve: A Seven Year Follow Up - Aoyagi et al. [Summary]
The Journal of Heart Valve Disease.  2007; 16:267-274. Link to PubMed-PMID 17578046

References

1. Emery RW, Krogh CC, et al.  Five-Year Follow Up of the ATS Mechanical Heart Valve.  J of Heart Valve Disease 2004; 13:231-238
2. Aoyagi S, Hori H, et al.  Mid-term Results of Valve Replacement with the ATS Valve: A Seven-Year Follow Up.  J of Heart Valve Disease 2007; 16:267-274
3. Hata M, Shiono M, Orime Y et al.  Mid-term results of ATS open pivot bileaflet mechanical prosthetic heart valve.  Ann of Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000; 6:34-38
4. Emery RW, Van Nooten GI, Tesar PJ.  The initial experience with the ATS medical mechanical cardiac valve prosthesis.  Ann Thorac Surg 2003; 75:444-52.
5. Koertke H, Koefer R.  International normalized ratio self management after mechanical heart valve replacement:  Is an early start advantageous?  Ann Thorac Surg 2001; 72:44-48
6. Baykut D,Grize L, et al.  Eleven-Year Single-Center Experience with the ATS Open Pivot Bileaflet Heart Valve.  Ann Thoracic Surg 2006; 82:847-52
7. Stefanidis C, Nana A, et al.  10-Year Experience With the ATS Mechanical Valve in the Mitral Position.  Ann Thoracic Surg 2005; 79:1934-8
8. Van Nooten GJ, Van Belleghem Y, et al.  Lower-Intensity Anticoagulation for Mechanical Heart Valves: A new Concept with the ATS Bileaflet Aortic Valve.  J of Heart Valve Disease.  2003; 12:495-502