The Caged-Ball Prosthesis 60 Years Later: A Historical Review of a Cardiac Surgery Milestone

Sixty years ago, 2 cardiac operations dramatically influenced the survival of patients with valvular heart disease. The replacement of an aortic valve by Dwight Harken and of a mitral valve by Albert Starr with mechanical caged-ball valves, both in 1960, was a true milestone in the history of cardiac surgery and the beginning of a long journey toward prosthetic valve replacement full of expectations, hopes, and dreams fulfilled. Caged-ball prostheses underwent numerous modifications in design and materials to improve reliability and prevent specific mechanical and thrombogenic complications. Clinical and pathologic experience gained during the past 6 decades has enabled the development of safe, durable, and minimally thrombogenic mechanical prostheses.