Bioprosthetic valves are being used more and more for aortic valve replacement, but mechanical valves appear to provide better long-term outcomes for patients 60 and younger. The new study, based on data from nearly 110,000 patients, was presented at STS 2025 and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiac surgeon Joseph F. Sabik III, MD, is an established clinical researcher and has held several committee positions with STS over the years.

The advanced algorithm only needs an image or photograph of a 12-lead ECG to make its assessment. 

Cardiologists believe this is the first time this exact complication has been reported. Even patients who present with no known risk factors, they said, should receive regular follow-up care to ensure such incidents do not go untreated. 

The patient, who was primarily eating meat, cheese and entire sticks of butter, said the yellow nodules did not hurt in any way. His cholesterol level exceeded 1000 mg/dL at the time of treatment.