Summary and conclusion
A report is given of a Bantu male patient who had aortic regurgitation corrected 9 years after a Hufnagel valve had been inserted into the descending aorta. The details of the ...perfusion technique are given and the problems of thrombus formation on the valve, possible disintegration of the Lucite ball of the Hufnagel valve, as well as the advisability of removing the Hufnagel valve after aortic regurgitation has been corrected, is discussed.
The Hufnagel valve continued to function after total correction of the aortic regurgitation. Although we found no signs of wear of the Hufnagel valve after 10 years of function and thrombus within the valve did not occur after correction of aortic regurgitation, it was probably correct to remove the Hufnagel valve at a later stage. Attention is drawn to the difficulties experienced when such a valve is removed.
We are grateful to Dr. V. H. Wilson, Chief Physician of the Baragwanath Hospital, under whose care the patient had been for 10 years. Our thanks are due to Dr. W. H. F. Kenny, Superintendent of the Baragwanath Hospital, for permission to publish.
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