Hemolysis in Mechanical Bileaflet Prostheses: Experience With the Bicarbon Valve

Mild subclinical hemolysis is frequently associated with normal functioning Bicarbon heart valves. Subclinical hemolysis was significantly influenced by valve position but not by valve size or effective orifice area index and remained stable through time. The magnitude of hemolysis in Bicarbon prostheses compared favorably with that reported for other bileaflet heart valve prostheses.